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NHL Announces Return of World Cup of Hockey in 2028
Tournament to be held in Canada and Czechia, featuring NHL rules and potential for new team constructions
Mar. 16, 2026 at 11:05pm
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The National Hockey League has announced the return of the World Cup of Hockey in February 2028, marking a significant comeback for the best-on-best international competition. The tournament will be hosted across three cities: Calgary and Edmonton in Canada, and Prague in Czechia. The 2028 event will feature eight countries, with the exact team composition yet to be determined. A key difference from previous World Cups will be the use of NHL rules, including five-on-five overtime in the championship game.
Why it matters
The reintroduction of the World Cup of Hockey adds another major international event to the NHL calendar, raising questions about player workload and the league's ability to balance the demands of the regular season with international tournaments. Additionally, the participation of Russian players remains uncertain due to the ongoing geopolitical situation, which could impact the tournament's composition.
The details
The World Cup of Hockey has a rich history, having been held three times previously in 1996, 2004, and 2016. The 2016 tournament saw Canada emerge victorious, defeating Team Europe in the final. That event featured innovative team constructions, including Team North America comprised of players 23 and under, showcasing rising stars like Connor McDavid, Jack Eichel, and Nathan MacKinnon. The 2028 tournament will feature a similar format, with preliminary rounds split between Prague and Calgary, and the semi-finals and championship game hosted in Edmonton.
- The 2028 World Cup of Hockey will take place in February 2028, during the NHL season.
- The 2016 World Cup of Hockey was the most recent edition of the tournament.
The players
Connor McDavid
A rising star in the NHL who played for Team North America in the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.
Jack Eichel
Another young talent who was part of the exciting Team North America squad in the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.
Nathan MacKinnon
A skilled forward who also represented Team North America in the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.
What’s next
The NHL and NHLPA will need to determine the exact team composition for the 2028 World Cup of Hockey, including whether to include a team similar to the successful Team North America from 2016. The league will also need to address the participation of Russian players, who are currently excluded from IIHF competition.
The takeaway
The return of the World Cup of Hockey in 2028 represents a significant milestone for international hockey competition, showcasing the NHL's commitment to staging major events every two years. However, the league will need to carefully balance the demands of the regular season with the added workload of the tournament, while also addressing the uncertain participation of Russian players.
