Edmonton and Red Deer, Alberta, have been selected as the host cities for the 2027 world junior hockey championship. This decision comes after initial plans to jointly host the tournament were disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The tournament is scheduled to take place from December 26, 2026, to January 5, 2027.
Originally designated as hosts for the 2021 edition, Edmonton and Red Deer had to adjust due to pandemic restrictions, resulting in all matches being held at Edmonton’s Rogers Place without spectators. The 2022 tournament, which was later awarded to the cities, was canceled due to the spread of the COVID-19 Omicron variant.
Subsequently, the tournament was rescheduled and took place in August at Rogers Place, but encountered low attendance. Officials from the International Ice Hockey Federation attributed the lack of fans to the tournament’s timing, high ticket prices, and allegations of sexual misconduct involving members of Canada’s 2018 world junior team.
The primary venue for the upcoming championship will once again be the 18,500-seat Rogers Place, hosting 17 games, including the semifinals and medal matches. The remaining 14 games will be held at the 7,050-seat Marchant Crane Centrium in Red Deer.
Notably, Red Deer, Edmonton, and Calgary previously co-hosted the championship in 1995 and 2012. Looking ahead, Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, are slated to host the 2026 world championship, with the United States entering as defending champions following their victory in the 2025 tournament in Ottawa.
