NHL delivering the 2028 World Cup.

NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly revealed that the 2028 World Cup of Hockey will feature eight national teams, all representing their respective countries without any hybrid or pan-national squads—a departure from the format seen in 2016. The event is slated for a “mid-season” window in February, designed to evoke the intensity and familiarity of Olympic international hockey. Daly explained that the initial tournament will be “purely invitational,” with a qualifying competition envisioned for 2032 and beyond.

The NHL and NHLPA are in the midst of gathering bids from interested host cities, with over 20 North American markets and several European cities expressing enthusiasm. Preliminary rounds and some quarterfinal games are expected to be played in Europe, before the action moves to one or two North American cities for the semifinals and championship, both of which will take place on NHL-sized rinks under NHL rules and officiating.

The 2028 tournament marks the fourth World Cup of Hockey, following previous editions in 1996, 2004, and 2016, and is part of a broader international calendar that also includes the 2026 Milano Cortina and 2030 French Alps Olympics, as well as the new 4 Nations Face-Off. The NHL and NHLPA will be finalizing details such as participating nations, venues, and schedules in the coming months, aiming for an official announcement by season’s end. The question of Russian participation remains unresolved, as the IIHF’s current suspension of Russia and Belarus runs through the 2025-26 season, but both leagues and players’ associations hope for a resolution before the tournament.

The overarching goal is to establish a regular cycle of best-on-best international hockey—alternating between Olympics and World Cups every two years—offering fans and players a consistent stage for global competition.