World Cup of Hockey set to return in 2028, NHL announces

The World Cup of Hockey will make its return in February 2028, marking its first appearance since 2016. The NHL and the NHL Players Association announced the tournament's comeback, aiming to establish it as a regular event alongside the Winter Olympics. The announcement was made in Montreal ahead of the Four Nations Face-Off, a 2026 Olympic preparation event.

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman emphasized the importance of international best-on-best competition for players and fans, noting that the World Cup and Olympic participation provide more opportunities for players to represent their countries. The NHL and NHLPA aim to make the World Cup a recurring part of the international hockey landscape.
While the teams and dates for the 2028 tournament have not yet been revealed, a bidding process for host cities is expected to begin soon. The World Cup of Hockey first took place in 1996 and has been held intermittently, with Canada winning the last two editions in 2004 and 2016. NHL players were absent from the 2018 and 2022 Olympics, but they will return for the 2026 Winter Games in Italy. The 2028 World Cup will be played under NHL rules, using NHL-sized rinks and officials.

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