Edmonton and Red Deer, Alberta, have been selected as the hosts for the 2027 world junior hockey championship following changes caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Hockey Canada, the Canadian Hockey League, and the International Ice Hockey Federation made the announcement on Tuesday for the tournament scheduled from December 26, 2026, to January 5, 2027.
Originally, Edmonton and Red Deer were supposed to host the 2021 championship, but pandemic restrictions led to all games being held at Edmonton’s Rogers Place without spectators. The 2022 tournament, which the cities were awarded, was canceled due to outbreaks of the COVID-19 Omicron variant.
Subsequently, the tournament took place in August at Rogers Place, but faced challenges with low attendance. Officials from the International Ice Hockey Federation attributed the lack of fans to high ticket prices, unusual timing of the tournament, and allegations of sexual assault against members of Canada’s 2018 world junior team.
The 18,500-seat Rogers Place will once again be the primary venue, 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.
In 1995, Red Deer, Edmonton, and Calgary co-hosted the tournament as it debuted in Alberta, while Edmonton and Calgary collaborated for the event in 2012. Looking ahead, Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, are slated to host the 2026 world championship. The United States will enter the competition as the defending champion, having won the 2025 tournament in Ottawa.