Trending Now - NHL Confirms 2028 World Cup of Hockey Locations
WHO:
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman
NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly
Marty Walsh, executive director of the NHLPA
IIHF president Luc Tardif
Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic
Dan Rosen of NHL.com
WHAT:
The 2028 World Cup of Hockey will feature eight teams.
The tournament will take place in February 2028.
The event will be held in three cities: Calgary, Edmonton, and Prague.
Calgary and Prague will each host seven games, including six round-robin games and one elimination game.
Edmonton will host the semi-finals and finals.
The tournament will use NHL rules, including five-on-five overtime periods.
The World Cup of Hockey was previously held in 1996, 2004, and 2016.
The last World Cup of Hockey took place from September 17th to September 29th, 2016, in Toronto.
The 4 Nations Face-Off was held in February 2025.
WHERE:
Host cities for the 2028 World Cup of Hockey: Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; Prague, Czechia.
Scotia Place in Calgary will be the new home of the Calgary Flames in 2027.
Rogers Place in Edmonton is the home of the Edmonton Oilers.
O2 Arena in Prague will serve as the European venue.
WHEN:
The 2028 World Cup of Hockey is scheduled for February 2028.
The 4 Nations Face-Off took place in February 2025.
The last World Cup of Hockey was held from September 17th to September 29th, 2016.
WHY:
Russia has been banned from international play since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022, leading to uncertainty about its participation in the World Cup of Hockey.
The IIHF cited security concerns as the primary factor for Russia's ban.
The NHL aims to alternate between participation in the Winter Olympic men's hockey tournament and the World Cup every two years.
HOW:
The NHL is partnering with the IIHF to ensure players from outside the NHL can participate.
The NHL will follow the international community's decisions regarding Russia's status in athletics.
(UPDATED March 16, 2026 23:11 UTC)
In a significant announcement, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman revealed that the 2028 World Cup of Hockey will feature eight teams and take place in February 2028 across Calgary, Edmonton, and Prague. Calgary and Prague will each host seven games, while Edmonton will be the site for the semi-finals and finals, with the tournament adhering to NHL rules, including five-on-five overtime. This event marks a return for the World Cup of Hockey, which last occurred in 2016, and comes amid ongoing uncertainties regarding Russia's participation due to its ban from international play following the invasion of Ukraine.