Hockey fans in Canada are going to see a lot more women's hockey in the coming years.
photo: Matt Zambonin/IIHF
Hockey Canada and the IIHF have struck a new agreement which will bring more women’s tournaments to Canada in the coming years—a lot more.
At a press conference in Ottawa today during the World Junior Championship, IIHF president Luc Tardif was joined by Katherine Henderson, president and CEO of Hockey Canada, to announce an expanded partnership which will see Canada host five women’s events in as many years:
2026 U18 Women’s World Championship
2027 Women’s World Championship
2028 U18 Women’s World Championship
2030 Women’s World Championship
2030 U18 Women’s World Championship
“Hosting IIHF championships is a tremendous privilege we do not take for granted, and we are grateful for their support of this landmark agreement,” Henderson said. “Investing in the growth and development of women’s and girls’ hockey is a top priority for Hockey Canada, and we are thrilled that our athletes, coaches, and staff will participate in an unprecedented number of world championships on home ice in the coming years. We look forward to welcoming the competing federations to Canada and elevating the tournament experience, including for our fans and alumnae, as their support and contributions have made hosting this many marquee women’s hockey championships possible.”
Canada is currently hosting its record 31st event right now, the 49th edition of the World Junior Championship. No other country has hosted more World Juniors (17) and Women’s Worlds (9), and Canada will now add to its two previous U18 Women’s Worlds hostings. It hosted the inaugural event, in Calgary in 2008, and in 2016, in St. Catharines, Ontario.
Additionally, Canada will host the World Juniors again in two years, in Alberta (cities TBA), as well as in 2030 and 2033.
Of the nine previous Women’s Worlds held in Canada, five were held in Ontario—Ottawa in 1990 and 2013; Kitchener 1997; Mississauga 2000; Brampton 2023. The other four were held in Nova Scotia (Halifax/Dartmouth 2004), Manitoba (Winnipeg/Selkirk 2007), British Columbia (Kamloops 2016), and Alberta (Calgary 2021).
“The creation of the new PWHL has inspired many girls and women to play hockey,” added Jonathan Goldbloom, Chair of Hockey Canada’s Board of Directors. “We are happy to announce that Hockey Canada will be bringing these tournaments to fans across the country. This will be the first time Canada will be hosting so many women’s events in such a short period. We intend to elevate the experience for coaches, players, officials, and fans.”
At a press conference in Ottawa today during the World Junior Championship, IIHF president Luc Tardif was joined by Katherine Henderson, president and CEO of Hockey Canada, to announce an expanded partnership which will see Canada host five women’s events in as many years:
2026 U18 Women’s World Championship
2027 Women’s World Championship
2028 U18 Women’s World Championship
2030 Women’s World Championship
2030 U18 Women’s World Championship
“Hosting IIHF championships is a tremendous privilege we do not take for granted, and we are grateful for their support of this landmark agreement,” Henderson said. “Investing in the growth and development of women’s and girls’ hockey is a top priority for Hockey Canada, and we are thrilled that our athletes, coaches, and staff will participate in an unprecedented number of world championships on home ice in the coming years. We look forward to welcoming the competing federations to Canada and elevating the tournament experience, including for our fans and alumnae, as their support and contributions have made hosting this many marquee women’s hockey championships possible.”
Canada is currently hosting its record 31st event right now, the 49th edition of the World Junior Championship. No other country has hosted more World Juniors (17) and Women’s Worlds (9), and Canada will now add to its two previous U18 Women’s Worlds hostings. It hosted the inaugural event, in Calgary in 2008, and in 2016, in St. Catharines, Ontario.
Additionally, Canada will host the World Juniors again in two years, in Alberta (cities TBA), as well as in 2030 and 2033.
Of the nine previous Women’s Worlds held in Canada, five were held in Ontario—Ottawa in 1990 and 2013; Kitchener 1997; Mississauga 2000; Brampton 2023. The other four were held in Nova Scotia (Halifax/Dartmouth 2004), Manitoba (Winnipeg/Selkirk 2007), British Columbia (Kamloops 2016), and Alberta (Calgary 2021).
“The creation of the new PWHL has inspired many girls and women to play hockey,” added Jonathan Goldbloom, Chair of Hockey Canada’s Board of Directors. “We are happy to announce that Hockey Canada will be bringing these tournaments to fans across the country. This will be the first time Canada will be hosting so many women’s events in such a short period. We intend to elevate the experience for coaches, players, officials, and fans.”