NHL Opens Host City Selection Process For World Cup of Hockey 2028
Thursday, June 26, 2025 at 12:45PM By Barry Janoff
June 26, 2025: Seeking in large part to continue the success of its 2025 4 Nations Face-Off, the NHL and NHL Players’ Assn. today unveiled the official launch of the Host City Selection Process for the World Cup of Hockey 2028d.
Scheduled for February 2028, the World Cup of Hockey 2028 will be an eight-nation tournament “expected to be 12 days and include 17 games, along with extensive ancillary programming such as public viewing events,” according to the NHL and NHLPA.
The 2028 edition of the tournament will be the fourth World Cup of Hockey in history, following 1996, 2004 and 2016.
The NHL and NHLPA plan to have the World Cup of Hockey as part of a regular rotation that also includes the Olympics and possibly the traditional All-Star Game.
NHL players will be part of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Cortina and Milano, Italy, for the first time since 2014, pausing its 2025-26 season in February.
"Obviously, our focus is on Olympics (in 2026) and then every two years Olympics, World Cup, Olympics, World Cup," NHL commissioner Bettman said during a pre-NHL Draft media conference. "And then we have to focus on what we're going to do in the off years with respect to what would be our traditional All-Star break.
“That's something we're working on but nothing we have to do immediately because we have next season, the Olympics, to look forward to."
The 4 Nations Face-Off this past February, staged in Montreal and Boston, replaced the traditional All-Star Game. Canada defeated the U.S, I the championship game viewed by more than 16 million, in a tournament that also featured Finland and Sweden, played in sold-out venues.
A plethora of NHL marketing parters supported the tournament. It aired across ESPN, ABC, TNT and truTV
The NHL and NHLPA are inviting cities across North America, Europe and other international markets to submit an Expression of Interest for the 2028 World Cup of Hockey.
Deadline for North American cities submissions is July 18, 2025; and July 30, 2025 for international cities.
This would be the first phase in a structured bid process leading to the final selection of host cities, expected to occur in Q1 of 2026.
The events is expected to feature round-robin and quarterfinal games in two host cities, with the semifinals and championship game currently anticipated to take place in one of those cities, subject to final host city selection.
“The World Cup of Hockey is a showcase of international hockey at the highest level, and we are thrilled to begin the host city selection process for 2028,” said Bettman. “This tournament offers cities a chance to be part of something truly global, while delivering meaningful economic and cultural benefits in return.”
According to the NHL, the 4 Nations Face-Off “delivered a significant economic impact across its two host cities bringing fans from around the world to support their countries while producing record-breaking television viewership numbers, and social media views and engagement.
WCH 2028 provides an incredible opportunity for cities to deliver cultural and economic impact while serving as hosts of a globally broadcast celebration of hockey at its highest level.”
The host city selection process is open to all cities with arena facilities that could meet NHL competition standards.
The advancement to the next phase will be determined by the NHL and NHLPA “based upon presenting a compelling vision for hosting the tournament —not solely on meeting minimum requirements. The NHL and NHLPA will proactively reach out to select cities, but any city is welcome to initiate contact and express its interest in hosting.”
“The World Cup of Hockey 2028 will bring together the best players in the world, representing their countries with pride,” said Marty Walsh, NHLPA executive director, said via the organization. “We look forward to working with cities that want to help shape the future of international hockey and inspire a new generation of hockey fans.”
Fan Festivals Support NHL 4 Nation Face-Off Events
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