Circle K Classic · December 27–January 1 · Calgary
Your Circle K Classic Home Base in Calgary
Six days of elite U18 hockey. Three Calgary Flames home games. One comfortable Calgary home base for the whole family.
Bridgeland, less than 3 km from Max Bell — walkable toward downtown and the Scotiabank Saddledome.
Temporary family + sibling exception
Families welcome for tournament week
Circle K Classic family exception: For stays from December 22, 2026 through January 2, 2027, children and player siblings are welcome when accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. All guests must be registered. Direct adult supervision is required around the hot tub, sauna, cold plunges and fire pit. No team gatherings, parties or outside visitors.
This exception applies only to those holiday/tournament stays. Normal adults-only booking rules resume for arrivals after January 2, 2027. Unaccompanied minors are not permitted.
Why families choose Merlot House
Built for a week at the rink
Less than 3 km to Max Bell
A quick Uber or taxi ride to Max Bell — skip the tournament parking hassle.
Four private stays, one property
Four private stay options in one Bridgeland property — easy for parents, grandparents and siblings travelling together.
Kitchens for hockey-week meals
Full kitchens in Merlot House, Cabernet and Shiraz; hotel-style simplicity in Sip & Soak.
Shared Backyard Spa included
Sauna, hot tub, two cold plunges, fire-pit lounge and outdoor TV available by request. Open 8:00 a.m.–11:00 p.m., subject to weather, maintenance and safety.
Walk to cafés & downtown
Walkable to Bridgeland cafés, downtown and East Village, with easy rideshare and CTrain access around Calgary.
Tournament + Calgary hockey week
The Circle K Classic, December 27–January 1
The Circle K Classic features top-tier U18 teams from Canada, the United States and Europe. Games are played at Max Bell Arena and Seven Chiefs Sportsplex. Schedules and venues can change — please check the official tournament site.
Official Circle K Classic information (opens in a new tab)Three Flames home games during your stay
Saturday, December 26, 2026
Vancouver Canucks at Calgary Flames
Scotiabank Saddledome
Tuesday, December 29, 2026
San Jose Sharks at Calgary Flames
Scotiabank Saddledome
Thursday, December 31, 2026
Winnipeg Jets at Calgary Flames
Scotiabank Saddledome
Game dates and times can change. Official Calgary Flames schedule (opens in a new tab)
Choose your stay
Four stays for tournament families
- Merlot House: three bedrooms, three king beds — best for larger family groups.
- Cabernet Sauvignon Retreat: queen + full, full kitchen — couples/small families.
- Shiraz Retreat: king + full, full kitchen — couples/small families.
- Sip & Soak Retreat: queen studio, hotel-style; stand-up rain shower and claw-foot soaker tub.
The flagship · 3 bedrooms
Merlot House
The whole house, all yours.
Shared Backyard Spa Included3 kings · Groups & friends
A retreat within Merlot House · Queen + full
Cabernet Sauvignon Retreat
Bold, plush, a little dramatic.
Shared Backyard Spa IncludedQueen + full · Couples & small groups
A retreat within Merlot House · King bed
Shiraz Retreat
Warm, cozy, slow mornings.
Shared Backyard Spa IncludedKing + full · Couples & small groups
A retreat within Merlot House
Sip & Soak Retreat
A soak, a sip, a slow evening.
Shared Backyard Spa IncludedQueen · Romantic & spa escapes
Getting around
Rink, river and downtown
Max Bell Arena
Expect large crowds and limited parking. We recommend Uber, taxi, carpooling or the CTrain — the CTrain station is within walking distance of Max Bell.
Downtown, East Village & Bridgeland
Walkable from Merlot House — neighbourhood cafés and restaurants, and the river pathways for a winter stroll between games.
Scotiabank Saddledome
Easy rideshare or CTrain access for Flames games. It is not a Circle K Classic venue.
Seven Chiefs Sportsplex
The second tournament venue, and farther away. Plan transportation around your team’s schedule.
House expectations for hockey families
A calm home after the game
- Registered overnight guests only.
- Parent/legal guardian supervision required for children and all backyard spa use.
- No parties, team gatherings, outside visitors or unregistered guests.
- Quiet hours 11:00 p.m.–8:00 a.m.
- Check-in 3:00 p.m.; check-out 11:00 a.m.
- No pets.
FAQ
Tournament-week questions
Can player siblings stay?
Yes — but only for stays from December 22, 2026 through January 2, 2027, when children and player siblings are welcome with a parent or legal guardian. All guests must be registered. Normal adults-only rules resume for arrivals after January 2, 2027.
Is Merlot House walking distance to Max Bell Arena?
Max Bell is less than 3 km away — a quick Uber or taxi ride. Max Bell recommends transit or rideshare during large crowds because parking is limited.
Are all tournament games at Max Bell Arena?
No. Games are also played at Seven Chiefs Sportsplex, which is farther away. Please confirm your team’s schedule and venue with the official tournament site.
Can we host a team gathering?
No. Stays are for registered family guests only — no parties, team gatherings or outside visitors.
How many Flames home games are during the tournament period?
Three holiday home games around the tournament: December 26 vs. Vancouver, December 29 vs. San Jose and December 31 vs. Winnipeg, at the Scotiabank Saddledome. Dates and times may change.
Which stay is best for our family?
Merlot House (three bedrooms, three king beds) suits larger family groups. Cabernet Sauvignon Retreat and Shiraz Retreat each have a full kitchen for couples or small families. Sip & Soak Retreat is a hotel-style queen studio. Compare all stays at merlothouse.ca/accommodation.
Is the Backyard Spa included?
Yes, for registered guests. It is shared, open 8:00 a.m.–11:00 p.m., subject to weather, maintenance and safety, and direct adult supervision is required for children.
Make Tournament Week Feel Like a Holiday
After the rink, come back to a warm suite, full kitchen options and the shared Backyard Spa in Bridgeland.
Merlot House is independent and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Circle K Classic, Calgary Flames or NHL. Tournament and game information should be confirmed with the official organizers.