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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
Ten countries will play a total of 29 tournament games (excluding pre-tournament games).
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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!
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.
Yes, accessible seating is available for both venues. You will be able to indicate your preference for accessible seating during the purchasing process.
All tickets for the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship are digital-only and are delivered through the official arena mobile apps.
Click here for instructions on how to access and manage your tickets [ this will link to the new Access My Tickets section]
Your tickets should now be available in your mobile ticketing accounts. Please log in using the email address used at purchase.
Click here for instructions on how to access and manage your tickets [this will link to the new Access My Tickets section]
Yes, all tickets will be digital. You will be able to transfer them digitally by game.
No, ticket package payments are non-refundable.
Availability of individual game tickets, if any, will be announced at a later date.
You can sign up for the WJC Priority List at WorldJuniorsMN26.com to receive information on future 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship ticket options, when and if they become available.
Please contact tickets@mnsportsandevents.org for further information.
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.
Sign up here to be on the list for World Juniors Championship volunteer opportunities: https://minnesotase.rosterfy.com/register
Paid vs unpaid positions are determined closer to the 2026 tournament and more information will be provided when determined.
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)
