NHL commissioner Gary Bettman welcomed the decision to bring the World Cup of Hockey 2028 to Alberta. The tournament will feature games in Edmonton and Calgary, with additional games scheduled in Prague.
Bettman praised the province’s deep connection with the sport during the official announcement. He pointed to Alberta’s strong hockey tradition and its long history with the NHL.
“Nearly 700 Albertans have played in the NHL,” Bettman said. “The province has been home to NHL Drafts and All-Star Games, dozens of Stanley Cup Playoff games, the first NHL regular-season outdoor game and the only Stanley Cup Playoffs contested in a bubble.”
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Because of that history, the commissioner believes the province is an ideal location to host a major international tournament.
“The Battle of Alberta is one of the NHL’s fiercest and most storied rivalries,” Bettman said. “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.”
The tournament will include games at Rogers Place in Edmonton and Scotia Place in Calgary. Alberta’s selection followed a joint bid supported by multiple organizations and governments. The event is expected to attract international visitors and global media coverage.
Bettman emphasized the excitement surrounding the tournament’s return. The World Cup of Hockey has not been held since 2016, and many fans have waited years for the next edition.
“We are thrilled that Calgary and Edmonton are joining forces to play host to the World Cup of Hockey 2028,” Bettman said.
The tournament has the opportunity to unite fans from different countries. It will feature the best players in the world representing their national teams.
Even Oilers’ star Connor McDavid is shared his excitement for best on best hockey.
“It’s obviously exciting,” McDavid said. “The last two years obviously, with the Four Nations and the Olympics this year, and another opportunity in the not so distant future. It’s exciting. Really exciting.”
Previous World Cup of Hockey Tournament Winners
The World Cup of Hockey replaced the Canada Cup in 1996 and has been held irregularly since. Take a look at the previous tournament’s champions and who they defeated in the championship game.
| Year | Champion | Runner-up |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Canada | Team Europe |
| 2004 | Canada | Finland |
| 1996 | United States | Canada |
Alberta’s passion for hockey makes it a natural stage for the event. With two strong hockey cities sharing hosting duties, the NHL expects the tournament to deliver a memorable international showcase in February 2028.
