2028 World Cup of Hockey to be Hosted in Calgary, Edmonton and Prague
After a ten-year hiatus, the World Cup of Hockey is returning in February 2028, with Calgary and Edmonton in Canada, and Prague in the Czech Republic, selected as the host cities. The tournament will feature eight national teams competing with the world’s best hockey players as announced by the NHL and NHL Players’ Association.
Host City Breakdown
Calgary will host seven games, including six round-robin matches and one elimination game, at the recent Scotia Place, set to open in September 2027 according to ESPN. Prague’s O2 Arena will too host seven games – six group stage matches and a knockout game – serving as the European hub for the tournament. Edmonton’s Rogers Place will be the site of both semifinal games and the final as reported by Sporting News.
Tournament Format
The 2028 World Cup of Hockey will utilize a best-on-best tournament format, bringing together top players from around the globe. The tournament will span ten days and include a total of 17 matches .
Statements from League Officials
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman expressed excitement about the event, stating the league “couldn’t be more excited” and believes the tournament will be a “huge success” highlighting the best in the sport . He also highlighted the passion of the fans in Canada and the quality of the venues.
Future Considerations
While the participants for the 2028 World Cup have not yet been determined, the NHL has not yet made a decision regarding the inclusion of Russia in the tournament according to Sportsnet. The league will assess the situation as it develops.
Key Takeaways
- The 2028 World Cup of Hockey will be held in Calgary, Edmonton, and Prague.
- Calgary and Prague will each host seven games, while Edmonton will host the semifinals, and final.
- The tournament will feature an eight-team, best-on-best format.
- The event is scheduled for February 2028.