frequently asked
questions
2026 World Juniors Schedule Ticket Options Volunteers Access My Tickets
2026 World Juniors
What is the IIHF World Junior Championship?

The IIHF World Junior Championship is international hockey’s premiere under-20 tournament, where the world’s best young men’s talent will compete for the gold medal. Hosted by Minnesota for just the second time in history, the tournament will feature the NHL’s future stars representing their nations in front of thousands of passionate hockey fans.

What is the distance between the two host arenas?

Grand Casino Arena (formerly Xcel Energy Center) in Saint Paul, MN is home of the NHL's Minnesota Wild, and 3M Arena at Mariucci (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN) are located just 8 miles apart.

Where can I find more information about the 2026 tournament and Team USA?

Visit WorldJuniorsMN26.com and sign up for our e-newsletter to receive the latest news and updates on the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship in Minnesota.

What other events will be part of World Juniors?

We are planning to stage a multi-day fan fest outdoors in Rice Park and indoors at the Saint Paul RiverCentre. The event will be family-friendly with something for everyone, especially while kids are out of school!

In addition, there will be pre-game activities around 3M Arena at Mariucci for select tournament games and other FREE events at Mall of America in Bloomington.

All of these events will be FREE and open to the public!

Schedule
When is the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship schedule being released?

The official game schedule for the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship has been released! You can view the full lineup of matchups, dates, and locations here: View the Official Schedule.

How many teams will compete and how many games are played in the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship?

Ten countries will play a total of 29 tournament games (excluding pre-tournament games).

How will the tournament be structured?

The ten teams will be split into two groups of five teams each – Group A and Group B. Each team will play the other four teams in its group during the preliminary round.

Following preliminary round play, the top four teams in each group will move on to play in the quarterfinals which is the start of single elimination game play. The winners of each quarterfinal will qualify for the “medal round”.

The medal round includes the semi-final games (two), bronze medal game, and gold medal game. All medal round games will be played at Grand Casino Arena (formerly Xcel Energy Center) in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

The fifth-place team from each group will play each other in a single elimination “Relegation” game. The team that wins will be eligible to play in the 2027 IIHF World Junior Championship; the losing team will be relegated to the international Juniors 1A division for the next hockey season.

Where will the 29 games be played?

Group A will play their preliminary round games at Grand Casino Arena (formerly Xcel Energy Center) in Saint Paul; Group B will play their preliminary round games at 3M Arena at Mariucci on the University of Minnesota campus.

Each arena will host two quarter-final games.

All medal round games (two semi-finals, bronze medal game, and gold medal game will be played at Grand Casino Arena (formerly Xcel Energy Center).

The relegation game will be played at 3M Arena at Mariucci.

What teams are in each of the two Groups?

Group A will include the United States, which enters the tournament as two-time defending gold medalist, along with Sweden, Slovakia, Switzerland and Germany.

Group B will feature Finland, Czechia, Canada, Latvia and Denmark.

Ticket Options
What are the ticket options for the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship?

Fans can choose from a variety of ticket options, including All-Session Packages, Group A and Group B Packages, Medal Round Packages, 4-Game Mini Packs, and Single Game Tickets. Options vary by arena and game date.

Visit 2026.worldjunior.hockey to view all ticket package options

How many seats are included in an all-session ticket package?

An all-session ticket package consists of a single seat for all 29 games in the tournament.

Games take place at both Grand Casino Arena (formerly Xcel Energy Center) in Saint Paul, Minnesota and 3M Arena at Mariucci on the University of Minnesota campus in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

What is included in a Group Play ticket package?

There are two group play package options available. Each package includes access to 16 games - 10 preliminary round games and 2 quarterfinal games for the group of your choice, plus 4 medal round games including 2 semifinals, the bronze and gold medal games.

Group A – includes USA, Sweden, Slovakia, Switzerland, and Germany – all Group A preliminary round and quarterfinals games played at Grand Casino Arena (formerly Xcel Energy Center)

Group B – includes Finland, Czechia, Canada, Latvia, and Denmark – all Group B preliminary round and quarterfinal games played at 3M Arena at Mariucci

Medal round games will all be played at Grand Casino Arena (formerly Xcel Energy Center). Additional ticket package options and single-game tickets may be available at a later date pending availability. Visit 2026.worldjunior.hockey for more information!

The All-Session ticket package and the Group B ticket package include games at both arenas. How do I select my seat at two different venues?

When you purchase the All-Session package, you will select your seats at Grand Casino Arena first and complete the purchase, then you will receive an email within 72 hours that will provide you with directions on how to select your seats at 3M Arena at Mariucci.

When you purchase a Group B package, you will select your seats at 3M Arena at Mariucci first and complete the purchase, then you will receive an email within 72 hours that will provide you with directions on how to select your seats at Grand Casino Arena.

Since Grand Casino Arena and 3M Arena at Mariucci have different seating configurations, you will be able to select seats in the same price range at both arenas; however, your locations

All games in a Group A package take place at Grand Casino Arena so you will select your seats and complete your purchase.

Can I purchase accessible seating?

Yes, accessible seating is available for both venues. You will be able to indicate your preference for accessible seating during the purchasing process.

How will I receive my tickets?

All tickets for the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship are digital-only and are delivered through the official arena mobile apps.

To learn how to access and manage your tickets, click on the “Access My Tickets” button in the FAQ menu on the left.

I purchased ticket packages, when will my tickets be delivered?

Your tickets should now be available in your mobile ticketing accounts. Please log in using the email address used at purchase.

To learn how to access and manage your tickets, click on the “Access My Tickets” button in the FAQ menu on the left.

Can I transfer tickets I have purchased to others?

Yes, all tickets will be digital. You will be able to transfer them digitally by game.

Are any ticket payments I make refundable?

No, ticket package payments are non-refundable.

Can I purchase single game tickets?

Yes, single game tickets are on sale now for both Grand Casino Arena and 3M Arena at Mariucci.

View available games and purchase tickets here.

Who do I contact for additional information about 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship tickets including suite availability?

Please contact tickets@mnsportsandevents.org for further information.

How do I learn more about group ticket packages?

Please send information and requests to tickets@mnsportsandevents.org. We will reach back out when more information is available. Group packages are being developed to be released in Summer.

Volunteers
How can I sign up to hear more information about volunteer opportunities?

Sign up here to be on the list for World Juniors Championship volunteer opportunities: https://minnesotase.rosterfy.com/register

Which volunteers are paid vs unpaid?

Paid vs unpaid positions are determined closer to the 2026 tournament and more information will be provided when determined.

What information do you need to be considered for the penalty box volunteers?

Along with filling out our rosterfy, we ask that you send over the following information: Name, phone number, email, position requested, relevant experience and training, and current relevant memberships (e.g. USA Hockey, MN Hockey)

Access My Tickets
How do I access my World Juniors tickets?

All World Juniors tickets are delivered digitally through the host arena ticketing platforms to corresponding mobile apps. Only digital tickets will be accepted at entry.

Your tickets have been delivered, so you are able to manage them now including transferring and/or reselling through the mobile apps. Follow the steps below.

Step 1 - Download the Required Apps
If you haven’t already, please download both apps from the App Store or Google Play Store. Depending on what ticket package(s) you have purchased, you may need both mobile apps to access your tickets.

  • Minnesota Wild App (for any games played at Grand Casino Arena)
  • Gopher Sports App (for any games played at 3M Arena at Mariucci)

Required App Wild App

  • All-Session 29 Games at both arenas
  • Group A Package (16 games at Grand Casino Arena only)
  • Group B Package (16 games at both arenas)
  • Medal Round (4 games at Grand Casino Arena only)
  • GCA single games & 4-Game Mini Packs

Gopher Sports App

  • All-Session 29 Games at both arenas
  • Group B Package (16 games at both arenas)
  • 3MAM single games & 4-Game Mini Packs

Step 2 – Confirm the Correct Email Address Used to Purchase Your Tickets
Tickets will be sent digitally to the email address that you used when you purchased them. You will need to use that same email address when managing your tickets.

Step 3 - View & Manage Your Tickets
In the Minnesota Wild App:

  1. Open the Minnesota Wild App on your mobile device
  2. Tap the Tickets tab in the bottom navigation
  3. Log into the My Wild Account using the email address used to purchase your tickets. This is also the email address you receive fan communications to.
  4. If you do not remember your password, simply click the “forgot password” link and follow the prompts to reset your password to access your tickets.

Please visit Minnesota Wild Mobile Ticketing for additional assistance with your tickets for Grand Casino Arena.

In the Gopher Sports App:

  1. Open the Gopher Sports App on your mobile device
  2. Tap the Tickets tab in the bottom navigation
  3. Select Manage Tickets and log in using the email address used to purchase your tickets
  4. If you do not know your password click "Sign In With a Code" and you will be emailed a temporary code. You can also click "Forgot Password" to reset your password. If additional assistance is needed please contact the Gopher Ticket Office at gophersports@umn.edu or call 1-800-U-GOPHER.

Please visit Gopher Athletics Ticketing Help & FAQs for additional assistance with your tickets for 3M Arena at Mariucci.

Step 4 – Follow Prompts Manage Your Tickets

You will be able to:

  1. Download your tickets to your mobile wallet
  2. Transfer tickets to others
  3. Resell tickets
Which app do I need to access my tickets?

This depends on where your games are played:

  • Grand Casino Arena (Saint Paul): Tickets are accessed in the Minnesota Wild App
  • 3M Arena at Mariucci (Minneapolis): Tickets are accessed in the Gopher Sports App Some ticket packages require both apps. See below for details.
I have an All-Session ticket package. Which app do I need?

All-Session packages include all 29 games — 16 at Grand Casino Arena and 13 at 3M Arena at Mariucci.

You will need both apps to access all of your tickets:

  • Minnesota Wild App — Grand Casino Arena games
  • Gopher Sports App — 3M Arena at Mariucci games

Be sure to log in using the same email address used at purchase.

I have a Group A package. Which app do I need?

Group A packages include 16 games, all played at Grand Casino Arena.

You will need the Minnesota Wild App.

I have a Group B package. Which app do I need?

Group B packages include 16 games:

  • 12 games at 3M Arena at Mariucci (Minneapolis)
  • Medal Round games at Grand Casino Arena (Saint Paul)

You will need both mobile apps to access all of your tickets:

  • Gopher Sports App — for games at 3M Arena at Mariucci
  • Minnesota Wild App — for Medal Round games at Grand Casino Arena

Be sure to log in using the same email address used at purchase.

How do I access my 4-Game Mini Pack tickets?

Your Mini Pack includes four games at a specific venue.

  • If your Mini Pack is for Grand Casino Arena, use the Minnesota Wild App.
  • If your Mini Pack is for 3M Arena at Mariucci, use the Gopher Sports App.

Log in using the same email address used at purchase.

How do I access my Single Game Tickets?

Access depends on where your game is played:

  • Grand Casino Arena games: Minnesota Wild App
  • 3M Arena at Mariucci games: Gopher Sports App

Tickets are delivered digitally and will appear in your mobile wallet once saved.

I purchased a ticket package. When will my tickets be delivered?

Your tickets should now be available in your mobile ticketing accounts.

Log in using the same email address you used when purchasing.

I'm having trouble finding my tickets. What should I do?

First, confirm you are logged into the correct app with the same email address associated with your purchase. Additional assistance can be found at:

Other