Why the World Junior hockey tournament is a big deal
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Team USA is hoping to repeat last year's championship at the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship — which is coming to Minnesota. Photo: Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images
The best young men's hockey players in the world are descending on the State of Hockey over the next three weeks.
Why it matters: For the first time since 1982, the Twin Cities is hosting the World Junior Championships, which routinely draws thousands of hockey fans and visitors from the 10 countries playing.
What they're saying: "It is truly the greatest tournament outside of the Olympics in all of hockey," University of Minnesota men's hockey coach Bob Motzko told reporters in April, after he was announced as Team USA's coach.
The big picture: Imagine if someone combined the Frozen Four's collegiate-level players, the Minnesota state high school hockey tournament's spectacle, and the Olympics' international glory — that's World Juniors.
- National teams are stocked with their country's best talents under 20 years old (and not already playing in the NHL).
By the numbers: Tournament organizers estimate the event will fill 8,000 hotel rooms and have a $75 million economic impact, KARE11 reported.
- Minnesota tourism officials hope the event will reopen a pipeline of Canadian visitors, who have decreased travel to the U.S. amid tensions with the Trump administration.
Fun fact: Gathering around broadcasts of the World Juniors' opening round on Dec. 26 is an annual holiday tradition in Canada — "as enduring as eggnog," as the Canadian Press put it.
- "Nothing quite like gathering around the television with family on Boxing Day, cocktail in hand, and watching Canada kick the crap out of whoever happens to draw the short straw," as Canadian newspaper scribe Dan McNee wrote.
The intrigue: The event's U.S. audience is also growing. The ascendant American team has won three of the past five World Junior tournaments, lifted by a talented crop of now-NHLers — like former Golden Gopher Jimmy Snuggerud and current Wild star Matt Boldy.
- Nearly one-third of Team USA's preliminary roster this year is stocked with Minnesotans.
What's happening: Pre-tournament tuneup games are already underway and continue this weekend in Rochester, Mankato, Bemidji and Duluth.
What to expect: Group play begins Dec. 26 at St. Paul's Grand Casino Arena and the U's 3M Arena at Mariucci.
- The gold medal game is on Jan. 5.
What we're watching: If the U.S. and Canadian teams play each other, it will be in an elimination-round showdown. The teams won't meet in group play.
If you go: Single-game tickets start at $32.