Calgary Surge to play 3 games in Lethbridge, Red Deer and during Stampede

The Calgary Surge, along with guard Evan Gilyard II, will be playing marquee games in Lethbridge, Red Deer and at the Calgary Stampede this year. (File)

Professional basketball is coming to two Alberta communities as well as the Calgary Stampede this year.

REAL Entertainment and Culture Inc. announced Thursday that the Calgary Surge of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) will host three marquee games this season with stops in Lethbridge, Red Deer and the Scotiabank Saddledome during the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.

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“Tens of thousands of Albertans have embraced the Surge and the CEBL, and we take seriously the responsibility that comes with that support,” said Jason Ribeiro, co-chairman and president of REAL Entertainment and Culture Inc., in a news release.

“We believe these marquee games do more than showcase great basketball — they create energy, drive economic impact, and help strengthen communities across our province.”

Officials say the event will build on the momentum from the first marquee game at Red Deer’s Marchant Crane Centrium last year.

This year, the Surge will return to Red Deer on May 31, to face the Edmonton Stingers in a classic Battle of Alberta.

The next marquee game will be in Lethbridge on June 20, where the Surge will take on the Montreal Alliance.

The final event will take place at the Saddledome on July 9, where the Vancouver Bandits will play against the Surge in front of thousands of excited Stampede-goers.

“Sport is key to building healthy, vibrant communities and is a driver of sport tourism, as fans and athletes play, stay, shop and dine,” said Andrew Boitchenko, Alberta’s minister of tourism and sport.

“I’d like to offer a warm Alberta welcome to all CEBL teams from across the country, as they visit the host cities of Lethbridge, Red Deer, and Calgary, and best of luck to our Calgary Surge and Edmonton Stingers!”

Further details for all the games, including ticket sales, are available on SURGE2REDDEER.ca, SURGE2LETHBRIDGE.ca and SURGE2STAMPEDE.ca.