Calgary 
Canada will once again be the centre of international junior hockey when the 2027 IIHF World Junior Championship returns to Alberta, with Edmonton and Red Deer set to share hosting duties.
Hockey Canada confirmed the event will run from Dec. 26, 2026 to Jan. 5, 2027, marking the fifth time the tournament has been held in the province. The successful bid was supported by a partnership involving OEG Sports & Entertainment, the Red Deer Rebels, Hockey Alberta, the municipalities of Edmonton and Red Deer, and the Province of Alberta, which committed $11 million earlier this year to support hosting major sporting events.
Rogers Place, which seats 18,500 and is home to the Edmonton Oilers and Edmonton Oil Kings, will stage 17 games, including both semifinals and all medal-round contests. The remaining 14 games will be played at Red Deer’s 7,050-seat Marchant Crane Centrium, home of the Red Deer Rebels.
Hockey Canada executive Dean McIntosh said the return of the World Juniors will give Canadian fans a chance to see top under-20 talent compete on home ice. Leaders from both host cities and partner organizations echoed the sentiment, emphasizing Alberta’s track record with major events and its strong hockey culture.
Edmonton last hosted the tournament in 2022, producing a memorable gold-medal finish featuring Mason McTavish’s overtime save and Kent Johnson’s winning goal. The city also hosted in 2021 without spectators and shared duties with Calgary in 2012. Red Deer co-hosted the cancelled 2022 event and first held games in 1995.
Officials from Tourism Red Deer and Explore Edmonton highlighted the expected economic impact, with Edmonton projecting more than $90 million in community benefits.
Pre-tournament games will be played across Alberta, giving fans province-wide access to the competing teams. Ticket demand is expected to exceed supply, with details on a priority draw and package sales to be released in the coming months.
