The excitement is palpable in Alberta as Calgary and Edmonton have been officially named, alongside Prague, as the host cities for the 2028 World Cup of Hockey. The announcement was made by the NHL on Monday, featuring enthusiastic messages from renowned players like Cale Makar, a Calgary native, Connor McDavid, captain of the Edmonton Oilers, and David Pastrnak, star forward for the Boston Bruins, who hails from the Czech Republic.
Historic Tournament Returns
Scheduled for February 2028, the tournament will showcase the top eight hockey nations in a prestigious best-on-best competition. Calgary and Prague will play host to the round-robin matches, while the semi-finals and finals are set to take place at Rogers Place in Edmonton.
Makar expressed his enthusiasm on social media, stating, “I’m excited to announce that the 2028 World Cup of Hockey is coming to my very own hometown, Calgary, Alberta.” McDavid echoed that sentiment, adding, “I’m absolutely thrilled to announce that the semi-finals and finals of the 2028 World Cup of Hockey will take place in Edmonton, Alberta.”
The World Cup of Hockey has a storied history, having first been held in 1996. The last iteration took place in 2016 in Toronto, culminating in a victory for Canada.
New Arenas and Economic Benefits
Calgary’s Scotia Place, the future home of the Flames, is on track to open in the autumn of 2027, boasting a seating capacity of approximately 18,400. This new venue will be pivotal for the tournament, hosting seven games—six round-robin matches and one elimination game.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman recently visited Calgary, where he praised the joint bid from Calgary and Edmonton as “a good bid that people could be very proud of.” Alisha Reynolds, president of Tourism Calgary, revealed that the cities initially submitted separate bids as requested by the NHL and NHLPA. However, they included a “love note” in their submissions, suggesting the potential benefits of a collaborative bid. “What came back to us fairly promptly was they loved the idea and that they wanted to explore a partnership between Edmonton and Calgary,” she stated.
The economic implications of hosting the World Cup are substantial, with estimates suggesting that the tournament could generate an impressive $375 million for Alberta. This spectacle is expected to fill nearly 172,000 hotel rooms and create over 43,000 jobs in the region.
Competition and Future Plans
Calgary is set to host a total of seven games, while Edmonton will play a crucial role in the tournament by staging two semi-finals and the championship match at Rogers Place, which accommodates approximately 18,347 fans for hockey events.
Stu Ballantyne, CEO of Rogers Place, noted that numerous cities were vying for the chance to host the tournament. While the exact number of competitors remains unclear, he expressed satisfaction at Alberta’s success in securing this prestigious event.
Details regarding participating countries, ticket sales, and further tournament specifics will be unveiled in due course. Interested fans are encouraged to fill out an “interest form” available on the tournament’s official website to stay updated.
Why it Matters
The 2028 World Cup of Hockey represents a significant opportunity for Alberta, not just in terms of economic impact but also for showcasing the province’s passion for the sport. As the hockey community unites to celebrate the return of this prestigious tournament, the collaboration between Calgary and Edmonton exemplifies how regional partnerships can elevate the profile of Canadian hockey on an international stage. This event is set to not only enhance local pride but also solidify Alberta’s reputation as a premier destination for major sporting events.
