The World Comes To The Ice: NHL Launches Bidding For 2028 World Cup Of Hockey

In a move that reignites one of hockey’s most ambitious global tournaments, the National Hockey League (NHL) and the NHL Players’ Association (NHLPA) have officially kicked off the selection process for host cities for the 2028 World Cup of Hockey. This tournament, which has not taken place since 2016, promises to be a revival of elite international hockey, showcasing the very best players in the world wearing their national team jerseys.

The tournament is scheduled for February 2028 and will span 12 days, featuring eight national teams, 17 games, and a return to traditional country-versus-country competition. This version will exclude previous experimental teams such as Team North America (a 23-and-under squad) and Team Europe, which represented unaffiliated players from smaller hockey nations. This time, it’s all about national identity.

Global Stage Set for Two Cities

According to the NHL’s official announcement, the 2028 World Cup of Hockey will be staged across two host cities, where round-robin and quarterfinal matches will take place. One of these cities will then host the semifinals and the championship game, though that decision is pending final host selections.

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman expressed his excitement about the tournament’s return, highlighting both its cultural significance and economic opportunity.

“The World Cup of Hockey is a showcase of international hockey at the highest level, and we are thrilled to begin the host city selection process for 2028,” Bettman said in a statement. “This tournament offers cities a chance to be part of something truly global, while delivering meaningful economic and cultural benefits in return.”

The application process is open globally, meaning that cities around the world—both within North America and internationally—can submit bids. The key requirement is that any interested city must have arena facilities that meet NHL standards for competition. Beyond infrastructure, cities must also present a compelling vision for how they will host the tournament and promote it on a global scale.

Important Dates and Phases of Selection

The NHL and NHLPA have outlined a clear timeline for the host city bidding process. Interested cities in North America must submit their expressions of interest by July 18, 2025, while international markets have until July 30, 2025.

After this initial phase, selected cities will move on to the Request for Proposal (RFP) stage, beginning in August 2025. This phase will include more detailed planning, financial commitments, and infrastructure evaluations. Final selections for host cities are expected to be announced in the first quarter of 2026.

A New Chapter in International Hockey

This will be the fourth edition of the World Cup of Hockey. Previous tournaments were held in 1996, 2004, and 2016, with Canada winning two of the three editions, including the most recent one. The 2028 tournament is part of a larger strategy by the NHL to build a more consistent and prominent international calendar.

Bettman previously shared the league’s ambition to alternate every two years between Olympic participation and World Cup events, creating a regular and prestigious rhythm of international competition.

This strategy gained momentum after the NHL confirmed its participation in the upcoming 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics, marking the league’s return to Olympic play for the first time since Sochi 2014. The NHL skipped the 2018 and 2022 Olympics due to various disputes and the COVID-19 pandemic, but now appears fully committed to a renewed global presence.

Players Ready to Represent Their Nations Again

For players, representing their country remains one of the most meaningful experiences in their careers. Executive Director of the NHLPA, Marty Walsh, emphasized how much this tournament means to the athletes.

“The World Cup of Hockey 2028 will bring together the best players in the world, representing their countries with pride,” said Walsh. “We look forward to working with cities that want to help shape the future of international hockey and inspire a new generation of hockey fans.”

The NHLPA is deeply involved in this project, working alongside the league to ensure the players’ interests are front and center—from scheduling logistics to the spirit of international competition.

Key Questions Still Unanswered

While the excitement is high, there are still some important details that need to be finalized. Among the most pressing: how teams will qualify for the eight available slots, and whether Russia will be allowed to participate.

Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) has banned Russian teams at all levels, a restriction that remains in place through at least the 2025-26 season. While the World Cup of Hockey is not governed by the IIHF, its decisions could still influence public perception and political optics.

Marty Walsh acknowledged the sensitive nature of Russia’s exclusion.

“I’d love to see our Russian players playing in these tournaments again. They’re incredible hockey players. The issues are political—not political as far as the NHLPA; it’s world politics we have to get through,” Walsh said earlier this year. “I’m hoping that as we get closer to the Olympics, closer to the World Cup, we will start seeing Russian athletes back in the competition.”

An NHL-Driven Tournament, Not IIHF’s

The World Cup of Hockey is a joint initiative of the NHL and NHLPA, and does not involve the IIHF, which governs Olympic hockey and most other international tournaments. This independence allows the NHL to control scheduling, broadcast rights, and event logistics.

However, because not every country has a full lineup of NHL-caliber players—Slovakia has just three defensemen in the NHL, and Switzerland only one goaltender—the league may work with European professional leagues to help complete national rosters. This collaboration could enhance the global nature of the tournament and help uncover emerging talent.

A Glimpse into the Future: Olympics, World Cup, and More

The return of the World Cup of Hockey is just one piece of a broader international vision. The NHL and NHLPA recently experimented with a successful Four Nations Face-Off, a midseason mini-tournament held in Boston and Montreal in February 2025. The tournament received strong fan engagement and TV ratings, proving that international hockey can thrive during the NHL season.

Bettman has hinted that similar midseason events may continue to complement the larger international tournaments.

“We couldn’t be more excited about making this a reality—Olympics, World Cups, Olympics, World Cups—on a regular schedule of the best hockey players in the world representing their countries,” Bettman said.

This cyclical format not only keeps fans engaged but also allows players to regularly compete on the world stage without waiting four years between major events.

Why Host Cities Should Be Excited

Being selected as a host city for the World Cup of Hockey isn’t just about sports. It represents a massive economic opportunity. From hotel bookings to international tourism, broadcast exposure to merchandise sales, cities have a lot to gain from being chosen.

Beyond economics, there’s a deeper cultural aspect—bringing the world together through hockey. Cities that win the bid won’t just host games; they’ll create memories that last for decades, elevate their status globally, and connect with fans around the world.

Source: NHL, NHLPA launch World Cup of Hockey 2028 host process

Conclusion

The NHL and NHLPA’s decision to bring back the World Cup of Hockey in 2028 is more than a sports announcement—it’s a statement about the future of international hockey. With a truly global bidding process, some of the world’s most exciting cities now have a chance to become the heart of a revived international hockey tradition.

From February 2028, fans will see their favorite NHL stars suit up for their countries once again. And until then, the world will be watching to see which cities are chosen to light the torch for a new era of best-on-best hockey.