2027 IIHF Under 18 Men’s World Championship
April 21, 2027 – May 2, 2027 | AMSOIL Arena
The IIHF U18 Men’s World Championship is the premier international ice hockey tournament for the world’s top NHL draft eligible players and serves as one of the sport’s most important showcases for future NHL stars. Featuring the leading hockey nations from around the world, the event gives fans an early look at many of the players who will soon become first-round NHL Draft picks, Olympians and NHL standouts.
TICKET INFORMATION
Single-game tickets for the preliminary round start at $15 (plus fees), and go on sale Tuesday, September 22, at 10am along with select ticket packages.
Packages include:
- All-session package with tickets to every game (28 games), including the quarterfinals, semifinals, and medal round ($550 plus fees)
- A Team USA preliminary-round package featuring all four U.S. games ($90 plus fees)
- A final preliminary-round weekend package featuring two U.S. games and two Canada games ($90 plus fees)
Single-game tickets for the quarterfinals, semifinals and medal round, if available, will go on sale at a later date. Package availability is limited.
To purchase tickets and for additional information on the tournament, click HERE.
TOURNAMENT FORMAT
The 10 participating nations will be divided into two groups, with each team playing the other four in its group during the preliminary round. The top four teams from each group move on to the quarterfinals on April 29, with winners advancing to the semifinals on May 1.
The bronze-medal game will be played at 1 p.m. CT on May 2, followed by the gold-medal game at 5 p.m. CT.
The U.S. will take on Norway in its first preliminary-round matchup on Wed., April 21, followed by games against Latvia on Fri., April 23; Sweden on Sat., April 24; and Denmark on Mon., April 26.
PARTICIPATING TEAMS
GROUP A:
- Sweden
- Latvia
- USA
- Denmark
- Norway
GROUP B:
- Slovakia
- Czechia
- Canada
- Finland
- Belarus
TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
Wednesday, April 21
Sweden vs. Latvia 11:08AM
Belarus vs. Czechia 3:08PM
USA vs. Norway 7:08PM
Thursday, April 22
Finland vs. Belarus 11:08AM
Denmark vs. Norway 3:08PM
Canada vs. Slovakia 7:08PM
Friday, April 23
Czechia vs. Finland 11:08AM
Sweden vs. Denmark 3:08PM
Latvia vs. USA 7:08PM
Saturday, April 24
Slovakia vs. Czechia 11:08AM
Canada vs. Belarus 3:08PM
USA vs. Sweden 7:08PM
Sunday, April 25
Norway vs. Latvia 11:08AM
Finland vs. Canada 3:08PM
Monday, April 26
Belarus vs. Slovakia 11:08AM
Norway vs. Sweden 3:08PM
Denmark vs. USA 7:08PM
Tuesday, April 27
Slovakia vs. Finland 11:08AM
Latvia vs. Denmark 3:08PM
Czechia vs. Canada 7:08PM
Thursday, April 29
Quarterfinal 1 – TBA – 10:08AM
Quarterfinal 2 – TBA – 1:38PM
Quarterfinal 3 – TBA – 5:08PM
Quarterfinal 4 – TBA – 8:38PM
Friday, April 30
Relegation – TBA – 12:08PM
Saturday, May 1
Semifinal 1 – TBA – 3:08PM
Semifinal 2 – TBA – 7:08PM
Sunday, May 2
BRONZE – TBA – 1:08PM
GOLD – TBA – 5:08PM
ADDITIONAL INFO
“We are thrilled to bring the IIHF Under-18 Men’s World Championship to the State of Hockey,” said Pat Kelleher, executive director of USA Hockey. “Fans will enjoy the opportunity to enjoy high-level hockey and the next generation of NHL stars as they compete for a gold medal.”
The 10-team tournament will feature all 29 games at AMSOIL Arena, home of University of Minnesota Duluth hockey. The adjacent Duluth Entertainment Convention Center will serve as the tournament’s practice facility. The event will bring teams, fans, scouts and media from around the world to Duluth for 11 days of international competition.
“After the incredible success of the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship, we are honored to partner once again with the USA Hockey and the IIHF to bring another premier international hockey event to Minnesota,” said Wendy Blackshaw, president and CEO of Minnesota Sports and Events. “Duluth is a hockey-rich community, and AMSOIL Arena will provide an electric atmosphere for showcasing the next generation of international hockey talent. Once again, a global spotlight will shine on Minnesota’s deep hockey culture and our ability to deliver world-class events and unforgettable experiences for athletes and fans.”
Many of today’s biggest NHL stars competed in the IIHF Under-18 Men’s World Championship before launching their professional careers, including Auston Matthews, Jack Eichel, Jack and Quinn Hughes, and Brady and Matthew Tkachuk. In addition to Quinn Hughes, Minnesota Wild stars Brock Faber, Matt Boldy and Kirill Kaprizov all participated in the tournament on their path to the NHL.
“The IIHF Under-18 Men’s World Championship marks one of the first opportunities for many of the world’s top players to compete internationally while representing their country,” said Bill Guerin, president of hockey operations and general manager of the NHL’s Minnesota Wild and the gold-medal winning 2026 U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team. “It not only delivers high-level hockey but also serves as a premier stage for fans and NHL front offices to see these players ahead of the NHL Draft.”
Several current and former University of Minnesota Duluth players including, Max Plante, the 2026 Hobey Baker Award winner, have represented their countries in the IIHF Under-18 Men’s World Championship. In addition, a number of other notable Minnesota natives have represented Team USA in the tournament, including Ryan McDonough, Jake Oettinger, and Zach Parise, further strengthening the event’s connection to one of the nation’s premier hockey communities.
“It’s really exciting to be hosting this event in our community,” said Scott Sandelin, head coach of the University of Minnesota Duluth men’s hockey team. “It’s a big-time tournament that so many players on our team competed in before wearing a Bulldog sweater, and I’m looking forward to the fans in Duluth creating an incredible atmosphere for these athletes and everyone visiting our city.”
Many top NHL Draft prospects compete in the tournament each year, making it one of the premier scouting opportunities for NHL teams and fans alike.
“We can’t wait to welcome players, families and fans from around the world to Duluth,” said Haley Hedstrom, president and CEO of Visit Duluth. “Hockey is woven into the fabric of this community, and there is no better place to showcase the passion, energy and atmosphere that make Minnesota the State of Hockey.”
“The DECC is primed to deliver an elite, unforgettable experience for players and fans. We cannot wait to drop the puck and welcome the world to Duluth,” said Sue Ellen Moore, Sales Director, DECC.
Prior to the tournament, NHL Central Scouting will conduct on- and off-ice testing in Duluth for participating players, providing NHL clubs with additional evaluation opportunities ahead of the NHL Draft.
NOTES: Team USA has medaled in 20 of the last 22 IIHF Under-18 Men’s World Championships, and has won 11 gold-medals all-time … The IIHF Under-18 Men’s World Championship has previously been held in the United States four times: 2009 in Fargo, North Dakota, and Moorhead, Minnesota; 2016 in Grand Forks, North Dakota; 2021 in Frisco and Plano, Texas; and 2024 in Frisco and Allen, Texas.
Learn more at mnsportsandevents.org