Bettman Confirms World Cup in 2028 (At Least 8 Nations)

[NyQuil]

I do agree with the point though... if Canada wanted a piece of the World Championships pie (or America) then they need to apply. I don't think they have. I don't think anyone in hockey Canada is in charge of 'applying for the IIHF Worlds' and if they were they are also in charge of getting coffee.lol

It's a non-starter unless the IIHF is willing to host it at a time where Canada and the US are not preoccupied with their own professional club championships.

The 2008 event was really a bit of a one-off that celebrated 100 years of the IIHF. It didn't exactly lead to a clamoring for more tournaments among Canadian hockey fans or Hockey Canada.

I freely admit that Canada hasn't exactly done much to make the tournament less unfair for North American teams, but that doesn't change the fact that it is.

If we now will have alternating best on bests and I'm an elite NHL player.. i don't even consider the World Championships in May. It may become the Euro Championships.. which, ftr, I would absolutely love!

I basically think of it as the European Championships anyway, with the US and Canada as guest teams.

The US has barely ever medaled at the event, even with the stacked team they brought last year. It holds even less resonance for them than it does for Canada.

However, the IIHF likes to think of the World Championships as simply the top division of a much larger worldwide tournament so I doubt they would ever take "World" out of the name.

The IIHF are conceivably the big losers in any kind of situation that dilutes the importance of the World Championships, so I'm curious as to what their involvement will be in any prospective World Cup.

In my mind, to be a "serious" hockey tournament, they do have to be involved, no matter how odious that may be, if Bettman and the NHL want to have relatively competitive hockey squads from the teams that don't have adequate NHL representation.

The gap between Soviet athletes and today is what, 40 years? How long does it take?lol

Meh, we still hear stories about Canadian barbarians for what they did to the Swedes in the 1970s.

Memories are long.

 

[Czechboy]

It's a non-starter unless the IIHF is willing to host it at a time where Canada and the US are not preoccupied with their own professional club championships.

The 2008 event was really a bit of a one-off that celebrated 100 years of the IIHF. It didn't exactly lead to a clamoring for more tournaments among Canadian hockey fans or Hockey Canada.

I freely admit that Canada hasn't exactly done much to make the tournament less unfair for North American teams, but that doesn't change the fact that it is.



I basically think of it as the European Championships anyway, with the US and Canada as guest teams.

The US has barely ever medaled at the event, even with the stacked team they brought last year. It holds even less resonance for them than it does for Canada.

However, the IIHF likes to think of the World Championships as simply the top division of a much larger worldwide tournament so I doubt they would ever take "World" out of the name.

The IIHF are conceivably the big losers in any kind of situation that dilutes the importance of the World Championships, so I'm curious as to what their involvement will be in any prospective World Cup.

In my mind, to be a "serious" hockey tournament, they do have to be involved, no matter how odious that may be, if Bettman and the NHL want to have relatively competitive hockey squads from the teams that don't have adequate NHL representation.

US sends a lot of very strong paper rosters to the World's. Isn't Canada the most dominant in the last decade at the World's? Them and FInland?

My point still stands.. if Canada really wants some World's they have the option. Unless I'm not aware of some declined applications?

Czechs don't have the option to host every other World Jrs or a World Cup tournament. The fact Canada/US don't want the option is fine, but they have the option. Euro nations don't have the option for World Cups and World Jrs every other year. My Czechs have proven to be great hosts of these events for instance. We even sell out the NHL games that we get and those suck.lol

FWIW - I've wnated a Euro Championships for years. I'd love for our Euro's to go to war with their Euro's and am the rare nerd that would geek out at a Cervenka vs Gaetan Haas matchup.lol

 

[NyQuil]

My point still stands.. if Canada really wants some World's they have the option. Unless I'm not aware of some declined applications?

Sure, if we can move the tournament to a different time, sounds like a good idea.

Otherwise, it's an option that is legally available but functionally pointless.

Czechs don't have the option to host every other World Jrs or a World Cup tournament. The fact Canada/US don't want the option is fine, but they have the option. Euro nations don't have the option for World Cups and World Jrs every other year. My Czechs have proven to be great hosts of these events for instance. We even sell out the NHL games that we get and those suck.lol

Historically, the WJCs have been hosted in Europe more often than in North America - 27 times to 25 times.

The statistics are a bit more skewed towards North America because of Switzerland opting out in 2010 and around the COVID period where Canada hosted 3 years in a row and 4 times in 5 years.

FWIW - I've wnated a Euro Championships for years. I'd love for our Euro's to go to war with their Euro's and am the rare nerd that would geek out at a Cervenka vs Gaetan Haas matchup.lol

There is the Euro Hockey Tour.

 

[nickp91]

please work with the IIHF to make this a legit World Cup and not just an NHL gimmick/cash grab

 

[Czechboy]

Sure, if we can move the tournament to a different time, sounds like a good idea.

Otherwise, it's an option that is legally available but functionally pointless.



Historically, the WJCs have been hosted in Europe more often than in North America - 27 times to 25 times.

The statistics are a bit more skewed towards North America because of Switzerland opting out in 2010 and around the COVID period where Canada hosted 3 years in a row and 4 times in 5 years.



There is the Euro Hockey Tour.

Here is 20 years.. 6 in Europe...

Last 10 played ... 3 in Europe.

You're way too smart a poster to need this proven too.

2025 to 2029 is 4 out of 5 in North America. No Covid. No Swiss decline. It's not circumstance.

 

[NyQuil]

Here is 20 years.. 6 in Europe...

Last 10 played ... 3 in Europe.

You're way too smart a poster to need this proven too.

2025 to 2029 is 4 out of 5 in North America. No Covid. No Swiss decline. It's not circumstance.

Amazing that Europe is still ahead despite all of the recency bias towards Canada and North America.

I presume you were equally outraged in the 70s and 80s when it was shifted the other way.

Just think - back then, the only hockey tournament that Canada would routinely host was the Canada Cup.

 

[Czechboy]

Amazing that Europe is still ahead despite all of the recency bias towards Canada and North America.

I presume you were equally outraged in the 70s and 80s when it was shifted the other way.

Just think - back then, the only hockey tournament that Canada would routinely host was the Canada Cup.

70's and 80's for a 2025 argument that spans the last 2 decades and the next decade.

 

[NyQuil]

It's not circumstance.

No, it's TSN raising the profile of the tournament in Canada in the early to mid 90s to the point where IIHF could make serious bank off it.

If the 2008 World Championships hosted in Canada had outsold European tournaments (as far as overall profitability) you would undoubtedly see the IIHF press for more in Canada.

However, it was only the 3rd most attended World Championships in history at that time. As of today, it's 9th. I highly suspect that it was relatively interchangeable at best compared with the European ones.

Meanwhile at the WJCs:

Those US tournaments are always held within close driving distance of the Canadian border.

The vast vast majority of the most financially successful WJC tournaments in history have been hosted in North America.

Don't delude yourself. The IIHF will follow the cash. Sometimes it's in Europe's favour and sometimes it isn't.

 

[MrazeksVengeance]

Russia needs to be one of the 8

It doesn’t. Some things are more important than hurt feelingses and mildly watered down competition.

…

That being said, the unlikely off-chance that Russia goes, gets absolutely gobsmacked by everyone is a glorious prospect.

But greed is a sin. So let’s just wait until they start bothering to act like they don’t want to invade all but 2 countries who participate.

 

[WarriorofTime]

Why is IIHF not involved? They better not have like AHL guys on Switzerland (I mean unless those players are legitimately better than players in NLA).

 

[varsaku]

I don't see how a 8 nation tournament can work without IIHF involvement. NHL doesn't have enough players from 8 nations to ice full rosters.

Active NHL Players Totals by Nationality ‑ 2024‑2025 Stats

NHL Totals by Nationality - Active Players 2024-2025 Regular Season Stats

www.quanthockey.com

 

[NyQuil]

Why is IIHF not involved? They better not have like AHL guys on Switzerland (I mean unless those players are legitimately better than players in NLA).

I'm not sure it's been spelled out yet.

 

[WarriorofTime]

It's a non-starter unless the IIHF is willing to host it at a time where Canada and the US are not preoccupied with their own professional club championships.

Realistically, they could have a location with a backup location ready to go. By say now, it's pretty clear which cities won't be preoccupied in their Arena with NHL Playoffs Games.

 

[vorky]

Why is IIHF not involved? They better not have like AHL guys on Switzerland (I mean unless those players are legitimately better than players in NLA).

See this

I will reply to all of you.


There has been a tentative agreement between NHL & KHL about international schedule reform since 2012. The IIHF & European nations refused. Mandatory february break is agreed as we can see with 4 Nations & 2028 WC & Olympics. Now the KHL is outside IIHF, so it can break their season in February & finish in May.

As I see it, as one reason why the IIHF is not involved in the 2028 WC because they refused the 2012 reform. No reason to talk to them anymore.

It is 100% that the 2028 World Cup will not be in Tampere.

It would be too funny if the 2028 WC take place at SKA Arena in St.Petersburg.

 

[NyQuil]

Realistically, they could have a location with a backup location ready to go. By say now, it's pretty clear which cities won't be preoccupied in their Arena with NHL Playoffs Games.

I don't know how much of it is the venue, and how much of it is potential lack of interest as far as ratings, advertising revenue and so forth due to the conflict with the NHL playoffs.

You'd still need some lead time though I would think. Hard to get people to pony up money for ticket packages when they are hoping for their team to make the post-season.

In 2008, it was Halifax and Quebec City, two non-NHL cities.

 

[WarriorofTime]

See this

But KHL is only one league outside of NHL umbrella. There is still SHL/Allsvenskan, NLA, Liiga, DEL, Czechextraliga, Slovakextraliga, all of which would be expected to have players at the club level for an 8 team Best on Best.

I don't know how much of it is the venue, and how much of it is potential lack of interest as far as ratings, advertising revenue and so forth due to the conflict with the NHL playoffs.

You'd still need some lead time though I would think. Hard to get people to pony up money for ticket packages when they are hoping for their team to make the post-season.

In 2008, it was Halifax and Quebec City, two non-NHL cities.

True but they can schedule the knockout games in particular around the NHL playoff schedule.

 

[MrazeksVengeance]

It would be too funny if the 2028 WC take place at SKA Arena in St.Petersburg.

I mean yeah, given how many players are citizens of countries that are literally listed as enemies of Russian Federation.

 

[Voight]

Regarding the World Championships, firstly different contest, secondly it's like the joke of the man who goes to church and prays to win the lottery. On the third week of praying a mighty voice booms down from the heavens, at least buy a lottery ticket!

I don't know if Hockey Canada prefer to have the World Juniors every second year and thats why they don't apply, or because it conflicts with the Stanley Cup playoffs - but it is quite evident that they have not even proposed to host the tournament most of the years. Note, most of the years, I would wager at least some times they have floated the idea but couldn't find info on how often have they asked seriously.

Likely because there wouldn't be enough interest to make it worth it. The games with Canada would be sold out, but ones involving the Euro countries would likely suffer unless it was in the knockout rounds.

It's a non-starter unless the IIHF is willing to host it at a time where Canada and the US are not preoccupied with their own professional club championships.

The 2008 event was really a bit of a one-off that celebrated 100 years of the IIHF. It didn't exactly lead to a clamoring for more tournaments among Canadian hockey fans or Hockey Canada.

I freely admit that Canada hasn't exactly done much to make the tournament less unfair for North American teams, but that doesn't change the fact that it is.



I basically think of it as the European Championships anyway, with the US and Canada as guest teams.

The US has barely ever medaled at the event, even with the stacked team they brought last year. It holds even less resonance for them than it does for Canada.

However, the IIHF likes to think of the World Championships as simply the top division of a much larger worldwide tournament so I doubt they would ever take "World" out of the name.

The IIHF are conceivably the big losers in any kind of situation that dilutes the importance of the World Championships, so I'm curious as to what their involvement will be in any prospective World Cup.

In my mind, to be a "serious" hockey tournament, they do have to be involved, no matter how odious that may be, if Bettman and the NHL want to have relatively competitive hockey squads from the teams that don't have adequate NHL representation.



Meh, we still hear stories about Canadian barbarians for what they did to the Swedes in the 1970s.

Memories are long.

It seems more often than not they just bring along young guys/NCAA players to give them the first taste of senior international competition. Sort of a proving ground / try out for the bigger tournaments.

 

[NyQuil]

It seems more often than not they just bring along young guys/NCAA players to give them the first taste of senior international competition. Sort of a proving ground / try out for the bigger tournaments.

It's been that way for a long time, but last year's roster was pretty stacked (B. Tkachuk, Gaudreau, Zegras, Sanderson, Farabee, Boldy, Caufield, Werenski, Pinto, L. Hughes, Nelson, Hayes) for a IIHF tournament roster.

Still on the young side, but very talented.

One hopes it's a step towards increased interest and participation but it might again be a bit of a one-off to demonstrate loyalty to USA Hockey in advance of this tournament and the upcoming Olympics.

Likely because there wouldn't be enough interest to make it worth it. The games with Canada would be sold out, but ones involving the Euro countries would likely suffer unless it was in the knockout rounds.

This is an excellent point. In Europe, the games are usually a "relatively" short train, car or plane ride away for the fans of participating countries.

As soon as you have to cross the ocean, everything gets more complicated and expensive.

Ultimately, it's probably just better to keep hosting it in Europe.

 

[vorky]

But KHL is only one league outside of NHL umbrella. There is still SHL/Allsvenskan, NLA, Liiga, DEL, Czechextraliga, Slovakextraliga, all of which would be expected to have players at the club level for an 8 team Best on Best.

My point is that in this case the IIHF is not a reliable partner for NHL anymore. At the Barcelona Forum the KHL & Russians proposed the schedule change, they had reasons for that. The NHL agreed and as we can see, the NHL abandoned their vision to host the World Cup in off-season, prefering February now. Why? Because the KHL´s argument is valid for NHL management for some reason.

All global hockey would benefit if all hockey people agreed on one common international schedule. The biggest victim of the status quo are the European pro leagues (except KHL).

Yes, other leagues would have an issue with February break. Even now Swiss top league (NL) has problem with EHT, at least Swedish tournament. Who is responsible for status quo? The IIHF and European hockey federations who refused the 2012 proposal.

Look, the NHL tried to involve the IIHF & all Euros with organising the World Cup. And failed. Why should the NHL copy the same mistake agaiin? If there is agreement with KHL in place. At the end of a day, individual teams from SHL, Liiga, TELH can release their players for the 2028 World Cup while leagues keep playing their regular season. IIRC the Czech Extraleague kept playing while Olympics tourmanet was played last time. And Finns playing their league while EHT tourmanets are taking place.