The announcement made by NHL and NHLPA has become a balm for the soul for many hockey fans since they are likely to become spectators of the World Cup of Hockey planned for 2028. However, like bettors who have no idea of what team is going to win and only suppose who deserves their wagers on popular online bookmakers like GGBet, hockey fans have no idea about the place where the next World Cup will take place. Naturally, it leads to the considerations and ideas which cities may host this event, and here you can discover potential destinations.
The last World Cup took place in 2016, and the 2028 tournament is great news for hockey-loving countries that aren’t part of the ongoing 4 Nations Face-Off. However, the announcement made on Wednesday didn’t reveal which cities will host the World Cup of Hockey. The NHL and NHLPA are still considering bids from various cities, but that gives fans the chance to speculate on which places could be perfect for the 2028 event.
The 2016 edition had a single host city for the main events, and 10 cities were involved in pre-tournament games. In contrast, the first two editions were held in many different countries. The 2004 World Cup took place in 8 cities of Canada (Ottawa, Montreal, Vancouver)), the USA (St. Paul) and Europe (Helsinki, Stockholm, Cologne, and Prague), and the 1996 championship matches were distributed among 9 different cities of Canada (Ottawa, Montreal, Vancouver), the USA (Philadelphia, New York City), and European cities (Stockholm, Prague, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, and Tampere).
While there are certainly more cities that could be added to this list to host matches, here are some that come to mind for 2028.
Canadian Vancouver, Ottawa, and Toronto
Toronto was the venue for all the matches in the 2016 World Cup of Hockey. With Montreal taking the lead for the 4 Nations Face-Off, Toronto might have a solid opportunity to reclaim hosting rights in 2028. The city has no trouble with filling seats for games and consistently attracts major NHL events, including the All-Star Games in 2024 and 2000.
Vancouver, known for its cosmopolitan vibe, is definitely a great place, too. The 2010 Olympics were marked by significant events in sports, particularly the epic gold medal showdown between Canada and the USA. The game attracted a crowd of 17,748 people, and it was recognized the most attended gold medal game ever recorded in Olympic history.
Ottawa was the venue for several matches during the 1996 tournament, featuring both a quarterfinal and a semifinal at the Canadian Tire Centre. Meanwhile, the Ottawa Senators are still working on completing the sale of the land required for a new downtown arena, even though the city successfully hosted the 2025 world juniors at the existing rink.
American Chicago and New York City
Hosting a prestigious event like the World Cup of Hockey in a key media market is essential. This is why Toronto stands out in Canada and other countries, and why Chicago and Manhattan can be also logical choices for the World Cup games coming up in three years. As Original Six cities, both New York City and Chicago are expected to generate excitement among passionate fans and those who enjoy the game on a more casual level.
Philadelphia and Madison Square Garden used to host hockey games back in 1996. The home arena of the New York Rangers has been extensively renovated, and the Philadelphia Flyers plan to build a new rink that will be ready by 2031. This makes the 2032 World Cup a more suitable opportunity for them than the 2028 tournament.
If the plan is to distribute the 2028 games among Canada, the U.S., and some European nations again, it seems that only a few American cities will be selected to host World Cup matches. Minnesota is home to many hockey enthusiasts, but if Chicago ends up hosting some games in 2028, fans from Minnesota should make a short trip to experience the excitement of World Cup action.
European Prague, Berlin, Tampere and Stockholm
Gary Bettman, NHL commissioner, hinted that eight teams are expected to participate in the 2028 World Cup. This means that Germany has the chance to return to the hockey scene. Garmisch-Partenkirchen was selected to be the venue for a home game by the German team in the 1996 tournament, but its main problem is the capability to accommodate up to 7,000 fans only. The Uber Arena in Berlin has a higher chance to be selected for this event..
Additionally, the NHL is looking at Stockholm, Prague, and Tampere for potential events in 2028, as these cities have successfully hosted Global Series games recently. Helsinki is also on the table for Finland, although its main arena has been shut down since February 2022 due to sanctions against Russian owners, with plans to reopen this spring.
Regardless of the circumstances, the NHL will have plenty of outstanding selections from Canada, America, and European countries, ensuring that the 2028 World Cup of Hockey is a must-visit event in those regions and around the world.
