Date: March 16, 2026
By: IceHockeyMan Newsroom
NHL Names Host Cities for 2028 World Cup of Hockey
The NHL and NHLPA have officially announced the host cities for the 2028 World Cup of Hockey, confirming that Calgary, Edmonton and Prague will stage the international tournament.
The event will bring together the best hockey nations in the world in a best-on-best competition scheduled for February 2028.
According to the announcement, the North American portion of the tournament will take place in Calgary and Edmonton, while Prague will host the European stage of the competition.
Calgary and Prague to Host Round Robin Games
The newly constructed Scotia Place in Calgary and the O2 Arena in Prague will each host seven games during the tournament.
Those games will include:
• six round robin matchups
• one elimination game
Both arenas are considered among the most modern hockey venues in their respective regions and were key factors in the final selection process.
The NHL expects both cities to attract strong international attendance given their established hockey cultures and experience hosting major events.
Edmonton to Stage Semifinals and Final
While Calgary will host part of the early stage of the tournament, Rogers Place in Edmonton will serve as the main venue for the decisive games.
Edmonton will host:
• both semifinal games
• the championship final
Rogers Place has already hosted several major international and NHL events, making it a natural choice for the closing stage of the tournament.
NHL Continues Expansion of International Calendar
The 2028 World Cup is part of the NHL and NHLPA’s broader plan to restore a consistent international competition schedule.
The league confirmed earlier that the international calendar will follow a regular pattern:
• Olympic Games
• World Cup of Hockey
• Olympic Games
• World Cup of Hockey
This format would ensure that best-on-best international hockey takes place every two years.
Commissioner Gary Bettman emphasized the importance of global competition between the world’s top players.
He noted that international tournaments such as the Four Nations Face-Off and the Winter Olympics have demonstrated the enormous global interest in elite international hockey.
Eight Nations Expected to Compete
The 2028 World Cup of Hockey is expected to feature the eight strongest hockey nations in the world competing in a full international tournament format.
While the final participant list has not yet been officially confirmed, the event will once again bring together the NHL’s top players representing their national teams.
The return of regular best-on-best competition has been widely welcomed by players, fans and national federations.
Prague Selected Over Other European Candidates
Prague ultimately secured the European host role despite interest from several other cities.
Stockholm had been considered a strong candidate to host the European stage of the tournament, but the NHL and NHLPA selected the Czech capital due to its arena infrastructure, fan base and ability to stage large international hockey events.
The O2 Arena in Prague has previously hosted numerous major international tournaments and NHL Global Series games.
World Cup Could Expand in the Future
The NHL has also indicated that the World Cup of Hockey format could expand in future editions.
League officials have discussed the possibility of expanding the tournament structure as international hockey continues to grow.
For now, the 2028 tournament will feature eight teams competing in a condensed but high-level competition format.
Return of True Best-on-Best Hockey
The NHL continues to emphasize that the goal of the World Cup of Hockey is to create a true best-on-best international tournament.
Unlike traditional international competitions, the World Cup is organized jointly by the NHL and NHLPA, ensuring full participation from the league’s top players.
This structure allows fans to see the highest possible level of international hockey competition.
With Calgary, Edmonton and Prague confirmed as host cities, preparations for the 2028 World Cup of Hockey are now officially underway.
Q&A: 2028 World Cup of Hockey Host Cities
What are the host cities for the 2028 World Cup of Hockey?
The announced host cities are Calgary, Edmonton and Prague. Calgary and Prague will host early-stage tournament games, while Edmonton will stage the semifinals and final.
Which arenas will be used for the 2028 World Cup of Hockey?
The tournament will use Scotia Place in Calgary, Rogers Place in Edmonton, and the O2 Arena in Prague.
Why was Edmonton selected for the semifinals and final?
Rogers Place is one of the premier hockey arenas in North America and has already proven capable of hosting major NHL and international events. Edmonton also has a strong history of supporting elite hockey events.
What role will Calgary have in the tournament?
Calgary will host part of the opening stage of the competition, including round robin games and one elimination game. The city was chosen as part of the North American hosting structure.
Why is Prague hosting part of the World Cup of Hockey?
Prague gives the tournament a strong European base. The city has a rich hockey tradition, a proven international-event track record, and an arena capable of staging major tournament games.
How many teams are expected to play in the 2028 World Cup of Hockey?
The tournament is expected to feature eight national teams. The final confirmed field has not yet been officially announced, but the event is designed around the world’s strongest hockey nations.
Will the 2028 World Cup be a best-on-best tournament?
Yes. The intention is for the tournament to feature the best available NHL players representing their countries in a full best-on-best international format.
Who organizes the World Cup of Hockey?
The event is organized jointly by the NHL and the NHLPA. It is not run in the same way as IIHF world tournaments, which is why the format and participation structure are different.
Why is the World Cup of Hockey important for international hockey?
It provides one of the clearest stages for top NHL talent to compete for national teams outside the Olympic Games. Fans want to see the highest level of international hockey, and the World Cup is designed to deliver that.
How often will the NHL hold major international tournaments?
The current plan is to alternate major events every two years, moving between the Olympic Games and the World Cup of Hockey.
What does the new international calendar look like?
The intended sequence is Olympics, World Cup, Olympics, World Cup. That creates a regular best-on-best cycle every two years.
Why was Prague chosen instead of Stockholm?
Prague appears to have offered the strongest overall package in terms of venue quality, event history, fan culture and logistical readiness. Stockholm was discussed as a candidate, but Prague ultimately secured the European hosting role.
How many games will Calgary and Prague host?
Each city is expected to host seven games, consisting of six round robin contests and one elimination game.
What makes Scotia Place a notable venue for this event?
Scotia Place is Calgary’s new state-of-the-art arena, and the World Cup will be one of its biggest international hockey showcases. The modern venue helped strengthen Calgary’s bid.
What makes the O2 Arena in Prague a strong tournament venue?
The O2 Arena has hosted major international competitions before and is widely recognized as one of Europe’s top hockey venues. It offers the size, atmosphere and infrastructure required for a global event.
Could the World Cup of Hockey expand beyond eight teams in the future?
Yes. League officials have suggested that future expansion remains possible. If international demand and tournament growth continue, later editions could potentially include more teams or an expanded format.
Will Russia be part of the 2028 World Cup of Hockey?
That remains uncertain at this stage. Current international restrictions still influence eligibility discussions, and the final decision will depend on the political and sporting situation closer to the tournament.
Why do NHL players value the World Cup so highly?
Because it gives them a rare chance to represent their countries in a true best-on-best setting with the world’s top players. That level of competition carries strong prestige inside the game.
Why are host city announcements important so far in advance?
Major events need long planning cycles for arena scheduling, travel coordination, ticketing, sponsorship, security, media operations and fan experience. Announcing cities early allows all of that work to begin properly.
What does this announcement mean for hockey fans in Europe?
It means the tournament will not be limited only to North America. European fans will get direct access to major World Cup games in Prague, which helps make the event feel more international and globally relevant.
What does this announcement mean for hockey fans in Canada?
It reinforces Canada’s central role in hosting elite international hockey. With Calgary and Edmonton involved, Canadian fans will have a major share of the event, including the semifinals and final.
How important is this event for the NHL’s global strategy?
Very important. Best-on-best international hockey expands the league’s global visibility, strengthens relationships with fans in multiple markets, and creates a premium event that can be marketed worldwide.
Can the World Cup of Hockey become bigger than previous editions?
It can. With regular scheduling, stronger city planning, full NHL player participation and growing international interest, the 2028 edition could become the most significant World Cup of Hockey yet.