2026 IIHF World Junior Championship – 50th Anniversary
Dates: December 26, 2025 – January 5, 2026
Location: Saint Paul & Minneapolis, Minnesota
Venues:
- Grand Casino Arena, Saint Paul
- 3M Arena at Mariucci, University of Minnesota campus, Minneapolis
About the Event
Celebrate the 50th anniversary of the IIHF World Junior Championship as Minnesota hosts this prestigious tournament for only the second time in history! The 10-nation event features the best men’s hockey players in the world under 20 years of age, competing in 29 thrilling games over 10 days.
This is international hockey’s premier under-20 tournament, showcasing the NHL’s future stars as they represent their countries and battle for gold in front of thousands of passionate fans.
Tournament Format
- Preliminary Round:
- Group A (USA, Sweden, Slovakia, Switzerland, Germany) – Grand Casino Arena
- Group B (Finland, Czechia, Canada, Latvia, Denmark) – 3M Arena at Mariucci
- Quarterfinals: Two games at each venue
- Medal Round:
- Semi-finals, Bronze, and Gold Medal games at Grand Casino Arena
- Relegation Game: 3M Arena at Mariucci
Why Attend?
- Witness the future stars of the NHL in action.
- Experience the excitement of international hockey at its highest level.
- Join fans from around the world for a historic celebration of the sport.