Little NHL 2026

The Little Native Hockey League (LNHL) 2026 tournament is the largest annual gathering of First Nations communities in Ontario. Hosted by Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory and held across multiple arenas in Markham, Ontario, this year's tournament set a record with 271 teams, including 59 girls' teams and over 4,500 players.

Founded in 1971 by Earl Abotossaway and community leaders in Little Current, Manitoulin Island, the LNHL was created to give Indigenous youth a space to compete in hockey with pride, surrounded by their communities and cultures. The tournament's four pillars — Education, Citizenship, Sportsmanship, and Respect — guide everything from the opening flag ceremony to the final whistle.

More than a hockey tournament, the LNHL brings together thousands of families, Elders, and youth from across the province, strengthening cultural bonds and community connections that last far beyond the ice.