2028 World Cup of Hockey

Background and Announcement

The 2028 World Cup of Hockey was officially announced on February 2, 2024, by NHL commissioner Gary Bettman. The announcement, made at a press conference before the 2024 NHL All-Star Game, confirmed an agreement between the NHL and the NHLPA to reinstate the World Cup of Hockey in 2028 and 2032, alongside NHL player participation in the 2026 and 2030 Olympic Games. This ended an eight-year period where NHL players did not participate in major international tournaments. The 2028 event will be the 16th best-on-best tournament to include NHL players. To promote the return of NHL players to international play, the league organized the 4 Nations Face-Off in February 2025, featuring Canada, Finland, Sweden, and the United States.

Host Cities and Venues

After a selection process that considered 16 potential cities across North America and Europe, the host cities were revealed on March 16, 2026. The tournament will be held in three cities: Calgary and Edmonton in Alberta, Canada, and Prague in Czechia. This marks the first time since 1987 that Alberta has hosted a Canada Cup or World Cup of Hockey event, and the first time since 2004 for Prague. The specific venues are Scotia Place in Calgary, Rogers Place in Edmonton, and the O2 Arena in Prague. The schedule allocates six round-robin games and one knockout stage game each to Calgary and Prague. The two semifinal games and the championship final will be hosted at Rogers Place in Edmonton.

Participating Teams and Format

The tournament will feature eight national teams, a return to a format of individual countries after the 2016 event included composite Team Europe and Team North America. While the NHL has not formally announced all participants, the host nations Canada and Czechia are confirmed. Based on involvement in the 2024 Nations Face-Off and standard international hockey powers, Finland, Sweden, and the United States are also presumed participants. Analysis from 2026 suggests the likely full field includes Canada, the United States, Sweden, Finland, Switzerland, Czechia, Slovakia, and Germany. The NHL is negotiating with the International Ice Hockey Federation to allow the inclusion of non-NHL players, ensuring nations outside the traditional hockey powers can field competitive rosters. Russia's participation remains highly uncertain due to its ongoing IIHF suspension related to the war in Ukraine, with the NHL indicating in March 2026 that inclusion is unlikely if the conflict persists.

Economic and Cultural Impact for Alberta

Hosting the World Cup of Hockey is projected to have a significant economic impact for Alberta, particularly for Calgary. Official estimates suggest the event will generate approximately 375 million dollars in economic activity for the province. The tournament is expected to support thousands of jobs and provide a major boost to tourism and hospitality during the winter months. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith stated the bid was earned because the province lives and breathes hockey. Tourism Calgary president Alisha Reynolds noted the event reinforces Calgary and Alberta's reputation as a destination for global events. For local residents, it offers a rare opportunity to experience best-on-best international hockey without travelling abroad.

Competitive Context and Team Prospects

The 2028 World Cup arrives after a renewed cycle of best-on-best hockey, including the 2026 Winter Olympics where the United States defeated Canada for the gold medal. That result sets the stage for a highly anticipated rivalry in 2028. Team Canada enters as the defending World Cup champion from 2016 but will be motivated to regain top status on home ice. Analysts are already projecting which nations could make the biggest improvements by 2028. For instance, Sweden's potential leap is tied to young stars like centre Leo Carlsson and goaltender Jesper Wallstedt reaching their prime. Canada's roster will likely see a transition, with a new generation of players such as Connor Bedard and Wyatt Johnston taking on larger roles alongside established veterans.

Broadcasting and Event Details

The tournament will consist of 17 total games played across the three host cities in February 2028. The NHL has stated it will open a bidding process for broadcasting rights in Canada, the United States, and Europe, rather than automatically awarding them to its current media partners. This decision was confirmed by commissioner Gary Bettman in March 2026. The event is owned and operated by the NHL and the NHLPA, who have expressed confidence that the host cities will deliver a world-class experience for players and fans. The league anticipates the greatest players in the world will compete at a level that makes the tournament a memorable global spectacle.

Questions about 2028 World Cup of Hockey

Which teams will play in the 2028 World Cup of Hockey?

Eight national teams will participate. While not all are officially confirmed, the host countries Canada and Czechia are in. The expected field, based on analysis, includes Canada, the United States, Sweden, Finland, Switzerland, Czechia, Slovakia, and Germany. Russia is unlikely to participate due to its ongoing suspension from IIHF events.

When and where is the 2028 World Cup of Hockey?

The 2028 World Cup of Hockey will be held in February 2028 in three host cities: Calgary and Edmonton in Alberta, Canada, and Prague in Czechia. This marks the fourth installment of the NHL's World Cup of Hockey. The tournament will consist of 17 games, with Calgary and Prague each hosting a round robin group and one knockout game, while the two semifinals and the championship final will be held at Rogers Place in Edmonton. It is the first time since 1987 that Alberta has hosted a Canada Cup or World Cup of Hockey event, and the first time since 2004 for Prague.

Why is the 2028 World Cup of Hockey significant for Canada?

The 2028 World Cup of Hockey is a significant international sporting event for Canada as it brings best on best hockey back to Alberta for the first time since 1987. The tournament is expected to generate an estimated 375 million dollars in economic impact for the province and support thousands of jobs. It provides Team Canada an opportunity to reclaim a top international title on home ice after the United States won the most recent best on best championship at the 2026 Winter Olympics. Alberta's selection as a host reinforces the province's reputation as a premier destination for global hockey events and shows its deep passion for the sport.

What is the format of the 2028 tournament?

The 2028 World Cup of Hockey will feature eight teams, all representing individual countries, a format change from the 2016 event which included composite Team Europe and Team North America. The 17 game schedule includes a round robin group stage, with one group playing in Calgary and the other in Prague. This is followed by a knockout stage, with quarterfinal games in those cities, and the semifinals and final hosted in Edmonton. The tournament represents the 16th best on best international tournament to include NHL players, marking its return after an eight year hiatus of NHL participation in such events.

How can I watch the 2028 World Cup of Hockey?

Specific broadcasters for the 2028 World Cup of Hockey have not yet been announced. In March 2026, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman stated the league would open a bidding process for the broadcasting rights in Canada, Europe, and the United States. This means the rights will not be automatically awarded to the NHL's current media partners. Details regarding which networks or streaming services will carry the games will be finalized and announced closer to the tournament date in February 2028.

Sources: Wikipedia and current public reporting, checked by the Garbutt Disposal desk. Last updated 2026-10-20.