Making its return for the first time in twelve years, the NHL today announced the host cities for the World Cup of Hockey, with group play to be split between Calgary, Alberta, Canada and Prague, Czechia, with the semifinal and final to be hosted in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

After the National Hockey League confirmed that the tournament would have group play split between North America and Europe, the bidding process resulted in a bit of a surprise, with the promised separate group rounds coming to fruition, but with the semifinals and finals in a third city. Calgary, home of the NHL’s Flames, will host in the brand new Scotia Place, set to open in 2027, while Prague will host at the O2 Arena, home of the Czech Extraliga’s HC Sparta, and the finals to be hosted at Edmonton’s Rogers Place, home of the NHL’s Oilers.

These three cities are no strangers to hosting Canada / World Cup hockey in their history, dating back to the second Canada Cup in 1981, co-hosted by Edmonton, who also hosted the 1984 Finals at the old Northlands Coliseum. Calgary also acted as co-host for the 1984 Canada Cup (including co-hosting the finals at the Saddledome), co-hosting again in 1987, and Prague was a co-host city for both the 1996 and 2004 World Cup, playing out of the Sportovní hala.

All three cities have hosted IIHF tournaments as well, with Prague hosting eleven IIHF World Championships, including three at the O2 Arena (2004, 2015, 2024), while both Calgary (1995, 2012) and Edmonton (1995, 2012, 2021, 2022) have hosted the IIHF World Junior Championship. Calgary also hosted the 1988 Winter Olympics, while Prague has hosted the NHL Global Series in 2019, 2022 and 2024.

Early reports have confirmed that seven of the eight national teams participating has been confirmed, with hosts Canada and Czechia, the United States, Sweden, Finland, Switzerland and Germany set to participate; the final spot really depends on whether Russia is re-invited to the tournament, and if the other national associations, the European ones in particular, would be willing to compete against Russia. Reports have shown that if Russia is not invited, the final slot will be claimed by Slovakia.

How the groups are divided, how European leagues to fill out some national rosters, and Russia’s inclusion remain some of the big questions for the next nearly two years; however, where the teams need to book their tickets for the first truly international World Cup since 2004 is now set!

Photo Credit: 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship – IIHF – HHOF – IOC