In the world of ball hockey, the Jack Cup is the iconic trophy awarded to the champions of the Nationals organized by the Canada Ball Hockey Association (CBHA), the body officially recognized as the governing organization for ball hockey in Canada. Over the years, the Jack Cup has become the symbol of national excellence, with the names of championship teams engraved on a modernized trophy that traces the history of the sport across the country.
Each summer, the best clubs from several divisions (Premier, Masters, Legends, Junior and more) converge on the host cities of the Nationals, producing tournaments that gather dozens of teams from many provinces. For players, coaches and fans, winning the Jack Cup is the high point of an entire season of preparation and competition.
Ball hockey: an accessible passion for everyone
Ball hockey is a variant of hockey played on a dry surface (a gym or an ice-free arena) with a semi-rigid plastic ball, hockey sticks and running shoes instead of skates. The basic rules draw heavily on ice hockey: two teams compete to score more goals, with lines, penalties and a fast pace that echoes Canada's national sport.
Originally played as a simple street game between neighbours — some open space, a ball, a few sticks and improvised "nets" — ball hockey has grown into a structured sport with leagues, championships and official bodies. In Canada, and especially in Québec, it is an affordable and inclusive gateway to hockey, for young players and adults alike.
This July: the Jack Cup comes to the Martin-Brodeur Arena
This year, the National Ball Hockey Championship tied to the Jack Cup stops in Québec's largest city: from July 14 to 18, 2026, the event takes place at the Martin-Brodeur Arena, located at 5300 boulevard Robert in Saint-Léonard. For those five days, Saint-Léonard becomes a genuine ball hockey hub, welcoming teams and fans from across Canada for an intense schedule of games.
The 2026 Nationals are held across several host cities, including Montréal for some divisions, underscoring the region's importance in the growth of Canadian ball hockey. For clubs, it is a unique chance to experience a high-level tournament in a city where hockey culture runs deep.
An interprovincial trip is a real "journey"
Even though the Jack Cup is played in Saint-Léonard, for many participants it is very much a trip: travel outside their home province, hotel stays, restaurant meals and several days spent between the arena and their accommodations. Yet public health plans do not always cover the full cost of a medical emergency that happens out of province, and some costs (ambulance, extended hospitalization, repatriation) can be very high without adequate protection.
A simple injury on the playing surface — a fracture, a severe sprain, a concussion — can require a hospital visit, tests, medication and sometimes specialized medical transport, all expenses that are not automatically paid in full by the provincial plan. Add the risks tied to travel (flight delays, road incidents, lost luggage) and family emergencies, and it quickly becomes clear why travel insurance remains essential, even when you stay "in Canada".
Why buy travel insurance for the Jack Cup
For the teams and families traveling to Montréal, buying travel insurance before the National Ball Hockey Championship makes it possible to:
- Protect travelers against out-of-province medical emergency costs (hospitalization, procedures, tests, medication).
- Ease the stress on coaches and sports organizations, who know their participants are covered if an incident happens during the tournament.
- Preserve the investment made in the trip (flights, hotel nights, entry fees) in case of cancellation or interruption, depending on the coverage chosen.
For a club traveling on a national scale, building travel insurance into the tournament plan becomes good risk-management practice, just like organizing transportation and accommodation.
The strengths of TuGo for travel within Canada
TuGo offers emergency medical insurance designed for Canadian residents traveling outside their home province, including trips for sporting events, vacations or family visits. TuGo's emergency medical coverage notably includes:
- Hospitalization and treatment in an emergency (sudden illness or accidental injury), with coverage limits reaching several million dollars depending on the policy.
- Ambulance services (ground, air or sea), diagnostic tests (X-rays, lab work) and prescription medication.
- Additional benefits such as fracture treatment, some emergency dental services, paramedical care (physiotherapy) to relieve an acute situation, and vision and hearing aids in certain cases.
- Medical evacuation, return of the vehicle, baggage or traveling companions, and flight-delay benefits, including the MyFlyt program.
TuGo also highlights 24/7 assistance in the event of a medical claim and telemedicine services, which lets travelers get medical and administrative support quickly, no matter where they are in Canada. For a team on the road to the Martin-Brodeur Arena, that means every player, parent or supporter can count on structured remote support.
More than medical: cancellation, interruption and baggage
Beyond emergency medical coverage, TuGo offers protection for trip cancellation and interruption that reimburses non-refundable costs if an unexpected event prevents departure or forces an early return. These protections are especially useful when a player is injured before departure, a family health issue arises, or a situation beyond the travelers' control disrupts the tournament schedule.
TuGo also offers baggage insurance (loss, damage or delay) as well as coverage for car rentals and various forms of travel, which can make all the difference when several team members travel together with a lot of sports equipment. By combining these elements with emergency medical in an "all-inclusive" package, travelers get comprehensive protection suited to a championship like the Jack Cup.