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The 2027 World Junior Ice Hockey Championship is going to be one of the biggest events on the Canadian sports calendar. Fans are getting excited but there’s one big question still unanswered: Which Alberta city will get the hosting gig?
Alberta has a rich hockey history, passionate fans, and top-notch arenas but choosing the right city to host this big event is no easy task. From Calgary’s new arena to Red Deer’s bid for a second chance, the speculation is running wild.
The latest tweet from Steven Ellis, Associate Editor and Prospect Analyst for Daily Faceoff, has only added fuel to the fire. He says despite the talks, Dean McIntosh from Hockey Canada said a decision won’t be made until spring 2025. So what’s the hold-up?
As we get into the nitty-gritty, it’s clear this is big. The World Juniors are more than a tournament; they’re a showcase of Canada’s future hockey stars, an economic boost for the local economy, and a once-in-a-lifetime event for many fans. Cities are making their pitch but with so many factors at play, it’s still anyone’s game.
Will iconic Calgary finally get the event or will smaller markets like Red Deer or Lethbridge get their chance to shine? As we go through the current status, insider info, and tweets from fans and hockey experts we’ll take you through the excitement and uncertainty of it all.
Let’s get into it.
Calgary’s Arena Ambitions
One of the top host city contenders is Calgary. With its rich hockey history and major league status, it’s a no-brainer but there’s a big problem: the arena timeline. Calgary’s new arena doesn’t open until September 2027 so can they really host the tournament just a few months later?
Steven Ellis (@SEllisHockey) summed it up in a tweet that’s got fans and insiders nodding:
Still no update about which Canadian city in Alberta will host the 2027 #WorldJuniors.
— Steven Ellis (@SEllisHockey) January 5, 2025
Hockey Canada's Dean McIntosh said the hope is to make a decision by this spring.
Calgary has one of the most passionate hockey fan bases in the country but this delay could hurt their bid. The logistical challenges of opening a new arena and getting it ready for an event of this magnitude could be a deal killer. But this doesn’t rule Calgary out of the running; it just means other cities might have a clearer path to hosting.
Edmonton’s Familiarity with Big-Ticket Events
Unlike Calgary, Edmonton has a big advantage with Rogers Place which has already hosted large events like the 2018 NHL All-Star Game and several World Juniors. The city has a strong fan base and a history of hosting international sports events.
But as Kyle Bodnar (@KyleBodnar4) notes Edmonton’s experience hosting the World Juniors in 2021 was less than ideal due to the pandemic bubble. This lack of a “normal” tournament experience in 2021 creates an interesting dynamic:
If Calgary doesn't get them, hopefully Edmonton gets a chance again as they never got a normal world juniors due to the pandemic causing the 2021 event to be played in a bubble, 2022 postponed to summer. The secondary city should be Red Deer as they never got a normal tournament
— Kyle Bodnar (@KyleBodnar4) January 5, 2025
Edmonton has a world-class venue and deep hockey history but maybe they need to prove they can host the event in a traditional format. Fans are hungry for a real experience in a regular format so Edmonton is a good candidate but also one that needs to manage expectations after the pandemic.
The Case for Red Deer: Smaller City, Big Potential
Amid the bigger city conversation, smaller venues are starting to get some love. Red Deer with its long history of junior hockey is emerging as a dark horse. Red Deer’s Enmax Centrium may not be as big as the ones in Calgary or Edmonton but it’s highly regarded for its intimate atmosphere which can create a more personal and electric environment for fans.
Smaller cities like Red Deer could also be appealing to Hockey Canada for another reason: cost efficiency. Hosting the event in a city, without the infrastructure of a major metropolitan area could save overall costs while still delivering a great hockey experience. And fans like Dylan H. Robillard (@HendrixHockey_) are loving the smaller venues:
Gotta be Calgary when the new arena is ready.
— Dylan H. Robillard (@HendrixHockey_) January 5, 2025
This is the sentiment of more and more fans wanting to see smaller cities get some love. Red Deer can offer something unique—a more authentic, passionate, and fan-centric experience that the bigger venues may not be able to match.
Lethbridge and Medicine Hat: The Underdogs Making Noise
While Calgary, Edmonton, and Red Deer are getting all the attention, smaller cities like Lethbridge and Medicine Hat also have their fans. Trevor Matterson (@Trevor_m29) recently said Lethbridge and Medicine Hat could be good candidates especially since they are home to Junior A teams and have a more hockey-focused environment than many of the bigger cities.
It’ll probably be Calgary/Edmonton and Red Deer, but I’d love to see something like Lethbridge and Medicine Hat in two junior hockey cities that don’t already have an nhl team
— Trevor Matterson (@Trevor_m29) January 5, 2025
This is a new spin on the conversation. These smaller cities with fewer distractions could deliver a tournament that is all about hockey and community. It’s an interesting idea that could change the way we look at future World Juniors tournaments with more local involvement and fan engagement.
The Speculative Back-and-Forth
The conversation continues and many are wondering if Hockey Canada will go with the traditional big city in Edmonton or Calgary or if they will go bold with Red Deer, Lethbridge, or Medicine Hat. Ryan Pike (@RyanNPike) had a good point about Calgary’s bid:
Based on current timelines, Scotia Place won't be ready in time for that tournament.
— Ryan Pike (@RyanNPike) January 5, 2025
Pike’s point gets to the heart of the issue—can Calgary get it done in time with the tight timeline for the arena’s opening? If not, Hockey Canada may have to look elsewhere even if Calgary is the obvious choice historically and culturally.
What’s at Stake? Alberta’s Bid for the 2027 World Juniors
Everything for Alberta, a province that loves hockey. This is bigger than the tournament—it’s about keeping the region as a hockey hub and the experience for players and top-notch fans.
Plus, hosting the World Juniors will have an economic impact on whichever city gets it. Alberta’s tourism, hospitality, and retail sectors will all feel the effects. The event will generate millions in ticket sales, merchandise, and tourism dollars so city officials will need to make a good case.
A Legacy in the Making
As the decision gets closer one thing is for sure the World Juniors will leave a legacy wherever it’s held. Whether it’s the big venues in Calgary and Edmonton or the smaller venues in Red Deer, Lethbridge, or Medicine Hat, the 2027 World Juniors in Alberta will shape the future of hockey in the province for years to come.
The speculation is on but it’s also an opportunity for Alberta to bring a World Juniors experience to match the region’s passion for the game. The decision will define the future of hockey in Alberta but it could also change how hockey tournaments are hosted across the country. This will be a decision years in the making and one that will be remembered for decades.
The clock is ticking. Which city will get the 2027 World Juniors? Only time will tell but the journey is just as fun as the tournament itself.
Last Updated on by Saket Kumar