The world's best hockey players are headed to Alberta — and Prague.
Edmonton, Calgary and the Czech capital will host the 2028 World Cup of Hockey, the NHL announced on Monday.
Set to take place in February 2028, It will mark the tournament's return after being dormant since 2016, when Canada won on home ice in Toronto.
However, two other best-on-best events have occurred within the last two years, with Canada winning the 4 Nations Face-Off in 2025 before the U.S. earned revenge with Olympic gold in February.
The round-robin will be split between Calgary and Prague, while the semifinals and final are set for Edmonton.
"There is no international competition in sports that matches the passion, skill, and excitement of hockey’s best-on-best coming together to represent their countries — last year’s 4 Nations Face-Off and the recent Winter Olympics were just the latest examples,” said NHL commissioner Gary Bettman.
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman visited Calgary, where a $1.2 billion event centre is slated to open in fall 2027, earlier in March.
“I don't think there'll be a nicer building anywhere than that,” Bettman said shortly after touring the Scotia Place construction site.
“It looks like it's going to be a spectacular, first-class, state-of-the-art arena. I'm excited about it, and Flames fans will be excited about it when they have a chance to experience it. It's going to be great for the City of Calgary to have this type of facility, which in addition to hosting the Flames, will be able to host concerts and other events that don't currently come to Calgary."
The Flames are scheduled to move into Scotia Place for the start of the 2027-28 season.
Meanwhile, the Edmonton portion of the tournament will take place at the Oilers' home rink, Rogers Place. Action in Prague will be at O2 Arena.
The World Cup is expected to feature eight teams, with Russia's inclusion still up in the air.
An original group of 28 applicants bid to host the tournament.
A joint media availability was scheduled for Monday afternoon at Rogers Place.
“Coming off the amazing international hockey played at the recent Olympic Winter Games, NHL players are very excited to return to international hockey at the World Cup of Hockey 2028,” said NHLPA executive director Marty Walsh. "Calgary, Edmonton and Prague are cities with very deep roots in hockey, and the games will be played in three hockey venues that will be amongst the best in the world.
"The players cannot wait to don their home country’s sweaters in Alberta and Prague in February 2028.”
--with files from The Canadian Press
