World Cup of Hockey 2028: Calgary, Edmonton, and Prague to Host
The National Hockey League (NHL) and the National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) have announced that Calgary, Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, and Prague, Czechia, will co-host the 2028 World Cup of Hockey. NHL.com confirmed the selection on March 16, 2026.
Tournament Format and Venues
The tournament, featuring eight of the top hockey nations, is scheduled for February 2028. Calgary and Edmonton will jointly represent the Province of Alberta as hosts, while Prague will serve as the European hub. Global News reports that Calgary and Prague will each host seven games – six round-robin games and one elimination game. Edmonton will host two semifinal games and the championship game.
A total of 17 games will be played over 13 days. The tournament will utilize NHL rink dimensions and adhere to NHL rules and officiating standards. The Athletic details that the first-place team in each group will advance directly to the semifinals, while the second and third-place teams will compete for the remaining semifinal spots.
Host City Enthusiasm
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman stated that Calgary, Edmonton, and Prague will “serve as fantastic hosts for hockey fans from all over the globe.” NHL.com. Connor McDavid, captain of the Edmonton Oilers, expressed his excitement about hosting the semifinals and final in Edmonton. Cale Makar, born in Calgary, also shared his enthusiasm for bringing the tournament to his hometown. Tomáš Petera, owner of the Perinvest group organizing the event in Prague, called the return of the World Cup an “extraordinary event” for the international hockey community. Global News
Participating Nations and Potential Challenges
Canada, the USA, Sweden, and Finland have secured automatic qualification for the tournament. The participation of Russia remains a significant question mark due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The Athletic notes that if Russia participates, one of Switzerland, Germany, or Slovakia will be excluded. Some participating nations, including the Czech Republic, Sweden, and Finland, have expressed reservations about competing against Russia given the current geopolitical climate.
Historical Context
The World Cup of Hockey originated as the Canada Cup in 1976, with Czechoslovakia reaching the finals. The World Cup was first held in 1996 and last played in 2016 in Toronto. AP News. The NHL and NHLPA aim to establish a regular rotation of best-on-best international tournaments every two years, following the return of NHL players to the Winter Olympics last month.