2026 World Jr Championship Schedule of Events
2026 World Junior Championship Schedule
Welcome to the complete game schedule for the 2026 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship—the most prestigious under-20 hockey tournament in the world. Watch Team USA defend their back-to-back gold medals as 10 nations compete across 29 games at two premier Minnesota venues.
All times listed are Central Time (CT). The tournament begins on Boxing Day (December 26, 2025) and runs until January 5, 2026, featuring future NHL superstars competing for international glory.
🎯 29 Games
10 days of elite hockey
🏟️ 2 Venues
Grand Casino Arena & 3M Arena
🌍 10 Nations
Split into Pool A & Pool B
📺 NHL Network
All games broadcast live
🏒 Preliminary Round Schedule (Pool Play)
Thursday, December 26, 2025 - Boxing Day (Opening Day)
Friday, December 27, 2025
Saturday, December 28, 2025
Sunday, December 29, 2025
Monday, December 30, 2025
Tuesday, December 31, 2025 - New Year's Eve 🎊
🎆 Special New Year's Eve Celebration! Family Fireworks at Rice Park after games!
⚡ Limited Edition 2026 World Junior Championship Patch
Commemorate the 50th Anniversary with an exclusive collectible tournament patch. Only 1,000 made!
PRE-ORDER YOUR PATCH NOW →🏆 Playoff Round Schedule
Thursday, January 2, 2026 - Quarterfinals & Relegation
Note: The loser of the relegation game is demoted to Division I for 2027. Top 4 teams from each pool advance to quarterfinals.
Sunday, January 4, 2026 - Semifinals
USA Advantage: If Team USA qualifies for the semifinals, they will play in Semifinal #1.
Monday, January 5, 2026 - Medal Games 🥉🥇
🏆 The Gold Medal Game crowns the World Junior Champion and concludes the 50th Anniversary Tournament!
🏟️ Tournament Venues
Grand Casino Arena
Location: St. Paul, MN
Home to: Pool A (USA, Sweden, Slovakia, Switzerland, Germany)
Hosts: All USA games, both semifinals, bronze & gold medal games
Capacity: 17,954
Also known as: Home of Minnesota Wild (NHL)
3M Arena at Mariucci
Location: Minneapolis, MN (University of Minnesota)
Home to: Pool B (Canada, Finland, Czechia, Latvia, Denmark)
Hosts: All Canada preliminary games, 2 quarterfinals, relegation game
Capacity: 10,000
Distance: Just 8 miles from Grand Casino Arena
💡 Pro Tip: Light rail connects both venues! Take the METRO Green Line between Minneapolis and St. Paul. See full transportation guide →
🎒 Get Your Tournament-Ready HEDi-PACK
Custom backpack with Velcro panels to display your World Juniors patches. Limited edition 2026 design available!
SHOP BACKPACKS NOW →🔥 Pre-Tournament Games (Team USA)
Catch Team USA in action before the tournament begins! These exhibition games take place in Duluth, Minnesota.
Sunday, December 21, 2025
Tuesday, December 23, 2025
Broadcast: Both pre-tournament games available on USAHockeyTV.com
📋 Quick Tournament Facts
Tournament Format
10 teams split into 2 pools of 5. Round-robin preliminary play, then top 4 from each pool advance to quarterfinals. Single elimination from quarterfinals onward.
Defending Champions
Team USA won back-to-back golds in 2024 (Sweden) and 2025 (Canada), seeking their third straight title on home ice.
50th Anniversary
This marks the 50th edition of the IIHF World Junior Championship. First Minnesota hosting since 1982.
TV Coverage
All 29 games broadcast live on NHL Network. Games also available via various streaming platforms.
🎉 Commemorate the 50th Anniversary
Shop our exclusive Bold North Breakaway exhibitor collection of limited-edition World Junior Championship patches, pins, and custom HEDi-PACKS. Available only during the tournament!
SHOP TOURNAMENT COLLECTIBLES →⚡ Pre-order now for guaranteed delivery before Boxing Day (December 26, 2025)!
Official Bold North Breakaway Exhibitor | HEDi Gear creates authentic tournament collectibles
Schedule subject to change by IIHF. Check back regularly for updates. | All times Central Time (CT)
