After years of waiting, the NHL has finally made it official: the World Cup of Hockey is coming back in 2028. And this time, it is going to be bigger, faster, and spread across multiple cities.
The tournament, last played in 2016, is set to return in February 2028, bringing together the world’s best players for a true “best-on-best” international showdown. For hockey fans, this is not just another tournament; it’s one of the rare chances to see top stars represent their countries outside the Olympics.
Where Will the Matches Be Played?
The NHL has confirmed three host cities for the 2028 edition:
- Edmonton
- Calgary
- Prague
Each location will play a key role in the tournament structure. Calgary and Prague will host the round-robin matches, where teams battle it out to qualify, and Edmonton will take centre stage for the semi-finals and the final, making it the ultimate deciding venue.
This multi-city format adds a global touch, especially with Prague bringing European fans directly into the action.
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Stadiums and What to Expect
The matches will be held in top-tier venues:
- Edmonton games are expected at Rogers Place, home of the Oilers
- Prague matches will take place at O2 Arena, one of Europe’s biggest hockey arenas
- Calgary is also preparing a brand-new, modern event centre set to open before the tournament
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman has already hinted that Calgary’s new arena could become one of the most impressive sports venues globally.
Teams, Format & What’s Still Unclear
At the hockey World Cup in 2028, there are likely to be eight teams participating in the tournament, which means that it will be a very close competition with lots of good games to watch.
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However, the area of question is going to be the ability of Russia to participate. Due to geopolitical issues in the world, no confirmations have been made either way on their inclusion in the tournament to date.
The previous (2016) World Cup was filled with Canadian dominance, and it has been too long since international hockey has had a good head-to-head competition.
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