What Gary Bettman said about Calgary's bid for World Cup of Hockey
There will be some more best-on-best hockey coming in 2028, and the city of Calgary could wind up playing host.
After years of no best-on-best action, hockey fans have enjoyed the 4 Nations Face-Off and the Olympics in back-to-back years. They are craving more and will have it soon enough.
In February of the 2027-28 season, there will again be a break in the NHL schedule to make room for the World Cup of Hockey.
Just days ago, Sportsnet’s Eric Francis reported that Calgary was on a short list with a few other cities as potential hosts for the four teams that will play in North America. The other four teams will start off competing at a destination yet to be named in Europe.
On Tuesday, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman gave a further update on the potential of Calgary hosting, while also emphasizing that it is a joint bid with Edmonton.
Gary Bettman addressing the media here in Calgary pic.twitter.com/5YsWLUckwm
— Colton Pankiw (@Coltonpankiw) March 3, 2026
“The answer to the question is I’m aware of the bid,” Bettman said in a press conference at the Saddledome. “Bids are being evaluated. Nothing has been finalized, but it was a good bid.
“I’m not prepared to tell you today that it was or was not the winning bid, but certainly it’s a bid that people [can] be very proud of.”
“I’m not prepared to tell you today if it was the winning bid, but it was a good bid.” Bettman on the 2028 World Cup of hockey coming to Calgary. Says to expect an announcement in the next few weeks.
— Colton Pankiw (@Coltonpankiw) March 3, 2026
Bettman gave no further update as to whether or not Calgary and Edmonton are leading the charge, but did give a timeline on when hockey fans can expect a decision to be announced.
“It is a work in progress. Things still need to be finalized, which is why there has yet to be an announcement,” Bettman explained. “But at some point in the not too distant future, couple of weeks or so, we should be in a position to finalize and announce.”
The timeline certainly supports Calgary’s case, as its new building, Scotia Place, is set to open in the fall of 2027. Construction on the soon-to-be home of the Flames began in the summer of 2024.
Regardless of how this plays out in the end, having Calgary considered as such a strong contender goes to show how important this new building will be for a multitude of reasons.
“Arenas can have a real positive impact economically and on the quality of life… There are concerts that haven’t been coming here because of the state of the building. That will change with the new facility.”
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