Alberta has officially secured the right to host a major portion of the 2028 World Cup of Hockey, bringing one of the sport’s most prestigious international tournaments back to Canadian ice. The National Hockey League (NHL) confirmed that a joint bid from Calgary and Edmonton was successful, positioning the province as a central host for the country-versus-country competition scheduled for February 2028.
The tournament will feature eight national teams competing in a best-on-best format organized by the NHL and the NHL Players’ Association. It marks the long-awaited return of the World Cup of Hockey after years of uncertainty surrounding the event.
Calgary and Edmonton Win Joint Hosting Rights
The winning Alberta bid means both Calgary and Edmonton will host games during the tournament. Seven games are scheduled to be played in Calgary at Scotia Place, the new home arena of the Calgary Flames. Edmonton’s Rogers Place will host the biggest games of the competition, including both semifinal matchups and the championship final.
The European portion of the tournament will take place in Prague, Czechia, where seven games will be played at the O2 Arena. Together, these host cities will stage the fourth edition of the World Cup of Hockey.
The tournament schedule is expected to deliver high-profile international matchups across both continents, with elite players representing their national teams in what is widely considered one of the most competitive international hockey formats.
Return of the World Cup of Hockey After Years of Uncertainty
The World Cup of Hockey has been held only three times previously, in 1996, 2004 and 2016. The United States won the inaugural tournament in 1996, while Canada captured championships in both 2004 and 2016.
Plans for a 2020 edition were cancelled amid collective bargaining negotiations between the NHL and NHL Players’ Association. The tournament’s future remained uncertain for several years afterward, and plans to revive the event in 2024 were also ultimately abandoned.
Momentum returned after the NHL and NHLPA organized the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament in 2025. That event generated major attention after Canada defeated the United States 3-2 in overtime, with Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid scoring the winning goal.
The success of that event helped reignite interest in international best-on-best hockey, setting the stage for the return of the World Cup in 2028.
Alberta’s Hockey Legacy Helped Secure the Bid
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said Alberta was a natural choice to host the event because of its long history with major hockey competitions and passionate fan base.
“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.
The province has hosted dozens of Stanley Cup playoff games, NHL All-Star events and other major international sporting competitions. Those experiences helped strengthen the joint Calgary-Edmonton proposal.
Federal officials also emphasized Alberta’s role in shaping Canada’s hockey identity. Eleanor Olszewski, Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience and Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada, said hockey is deeply embedded in Canadian culture and Alberta has played a major role in that story.
“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,” Olszewski said in a statement.
Hosting the tournament in Alberta, she added, will showcase that tradition on the global stage.
Government Support and Economic Impact
The province provided financial backing to support the successful bid. Earlier in March, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith confirmed that the provincial government contributed $15 million to help secure hosting rights for the tournament.
Smith described the victory as recognition of Alberta’s deep connection to the sport.
“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 tournament is projected to generate an estimated $375 million in economic impact for the province. That includes spending tied to tourism, hospitality, transportation, and event-related activities expected to accompany the international competition.
Major sporting events of this scale typically draw thousands of visiting fans, international media coverage and significant business opportunities for host cities.
Scotia Place Set for International Debut
One of the biggest highlights of the tournament will be Calgary’s Scotia Place arena. The new facility, which will serve as the home of the Calgary Flames, is expected to host seven games during the World Cup.
That exposure could give the venue a major international debut as fans from around the world travel to Alberta for the event.
Edmonton’s Rogers Place will then take center stage for the final rounds of the tournament, including the semifinals and the championship game.
The arena has already hosted numerous high-profile NHL games and playoff moments, and the World Cup final will further strengthen its reputation as a premier hockey venue.
Participating Nations Yet to Be Announced
The NHL confirmed that eight nations will compete in the 2028 tournament, though the participating teams will be announced at a later date.
The World Cup typically features many of the best players in the world representing their home countries, making it one of the few international tournaments where NHL stars compete against each other outside the Olympics.
With Canada, the United States, and several European powers expected to participate, the event is already generating excitement among hockey fans globally.
More details about the tournament format, ticket sales and participating teams are expected to be released closer to the event.
For now, Alberta’s successful bid ensures that Calgary and Edmonton will sit at the center of the hockey world in February 2028 as the sport’s top players gather for the return of the World Cup of Hockey. The official announcement was first reported by CBC News.
Canada’s push into major new sports and infrastructure investments comes as other headline projects are also drawing attention, including the country’s growing aerospace ambitions. In case you missed it, here’s a look at Canada’s $200 million Nova Scotia space launch pad project and why it is generating national interest.
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