Alberta to host 2028 World Cup of Hockey as tournament returns after 12 years

Alberta and Czechia testament boniface the 4th edition of the domain transfuse of Hockey, a country-versus-country hockey tournament set to hit the ice in February 2028, according to the NHL.

Calgary and Edmonton submitted a joint bid to host the tournament. On Monday, the NHL said the bid was successful.

It marks the return of the international tournament after more than a decade. The last time the tournament was held was in 2016, when Canada won the trophy.

That tournament, which was held in Toronto, was meant to be followed up by a 2020 edition.

But it was nixed amid the NHL's collective bargaining talks, and the World Cup's future was murky in the years that followed. The NHL and its players association backed off plans to hold an event in 2024.

Now, the tournament is part of the NHL's plan to hold best-on-best international competitions every four years, in between Winter Olympics tournaments.

Seven games will be played in Calgary at Scotia Place, the forthcoming new home of the Calgary Flames. The arena is set to open in fall 2027, meaning the World Cup of Hockey will serve as a showcase for the facility during its first full season.

The two semifinal games and the championship game will be played in Edmonton at Rogers Place.

Prague, Czechia, will be the European host city for the tournament, hosting seven games at the O2 Arena.

Twenty-five cities from across North America and Europe vied to host the 2028 event, the NHL said.

"Hockey is woven into the fabric of this country, and Alberta has helped shape that story by producing some of the best players and most dedicated fans in the world," reads a statement attributed to Eleanor Olszewski, the federal cabinet miinister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada.

"Hosting the 2028 World Cup of Hockey here in our province is a chance to celebrate that proud tradition on a global stage."

In a release, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said Alberta has hosted dozens of Stanley Cup playoff games, all-star games and other major events.

"Simply, Alberta is a fitting place to bring together not only the best players in our game, but hockey fans from all over the world," Bettman said.

Earlier this month, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said the province had provided $15 million to assist with the bid.

“Alberta is the right choice to host the World Cup of Hockey. This bid was earned; few places in the world live and breathe hockey the way Alberta does,” Smith said.

The World Cup of Hockey is projected to generate an estimated $375 million in economic impact for Alberta, the release states.

It's only been held three times before. The United States won the tournament in 1996, while Canada notched victories in 2004 and 2016.

The tournament follows the 4 Nations Face-Off in 2025, also organized by the NHL and NHLPA. Its finale saw Canada defeat the United States 3-2 after Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid scored in overtime.

Participating nations will be announced at a later date.

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