The National Hockey League (NHL) and the National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) have officially named the host cities for the 2028 World Cup of Hockey. During the recent General Managers’ Meetings, it was revealed that Calgary and Edmonton will host the North American leg of the tournament, while Prague, Czechia, will welcome the European portion.
Calgary’s new state-of-the-art Scotia Place and Prague’s O2 Arena are each set to host seven games, comprising six round-robin matches and one elimination game. The critical Semifinals and Finals will culminate at Rogers Place in Edmonton.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman expressed immense enthusiasm in a press release, highlighting the unparalleled passion, skill, and excitement of international best-on-best hockey. He cited recent events like the 4 Nations Face-Off and the Winter Olympics as examples, stating, “We at the National Hockey League and our partners at the National Hockey League Players’ Association can’t wait to bring the World Cup of Hockey 2028 to three spectacular venues in three cities that shine when staging big events. We know Calgary, Edmonton and Prague will serve as fantastic hosts for hockey fans from all over the globe, and that the greatest hockey players in the world will compete on a level that will make this event truly memorable.”
Future Expansion and International Calendar
The announcement follows the reintroduction of best-on-best hockey last February with the Four Nations Faceoff, where the League and Players Association outlined a new International Hockey calendar. This schedule aims to feature the Olympics and the World Cup of Hockey every two years.
Commissioner Bettman previously confirmed plans for the World Cup in 2028, two years after the Olympics, and mentioned opening a bidding process for host cities. He expressed excitement about making this a reality, envisioning a regular schedule of Olympics and World Cups showcasing the world’s best hockey players representing their countries.
It’s important to note that the World Cup of Hockey is primarily an NHL-NHLPA organized event. Currently, the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) has minimal direct involvement, aside from adhering to the ban on Russian athletes in international hockey events. However, this dynamic could evolve by 2028.
The Significance of Best-on-Best Play
Weeks prior to the official announcement, Commissioner Bettman was in Calgary for the unveiling of the new Flames arena. When questioned about Calgary’s bid to host the World Cup, he acknowledged it as a “good bid” but stated that “Nothing has been finalized” at that time. He explained that Calgary and Edmonton had submitted a joint bid, and the League was still finalizing details, expecting an announcement in a “couple of weeks or so.”
As Bettman hinted, the NHL and NHLPA subsequently made their official announcement. His presence in Calgary earlier had strongly suggested the city was a serious contender for hosting.
Ultimately, Calgary will host the North American preliminary rounds, with Edmonton securing the semifinals and finals. While Stockholm, Sweden, was initially rumored as a potential European host, Prague was ultimately chosen. The 2028 World Cup of Hockey is set to showcase the top eight hockey nations globally in a thrilling best-on-best format in February.
