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Three elite international hockey teams will compete at Amsoil Arena in December as part of the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship Pre-Tournament Series, organizers announced Tuesday.
Team USA, Finland and Germany will play three exhibition games in Duluth ahead of the official world championship, which begins Dec. 26 in the Twin Cities.
- Friday, Dec. 19: Finland vs. Germany (7 p.m.)
- Sunday, Dec. 21: USA vs. Germany (4 p.m.)
- Tuesday, Dec. 23: USA vs. Finland (6 p.m.)
The pre-tournament contests give national teams a chance to adjust to time zones and North American-sized rinks, which are smaller than international ice surfaces.
Coaches will also use the games to test line combinations, finalize rosters and scout future opponents before official play begins.
Event organizers said the series will draw fans, scouts and families from across the Upper Midwest, generating hotel stays and restaurant traffic during the holiday season.
Minnesota is hosting the entire 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship, governed by the International Ice Hockey Federation — the sport’s worldwide sanctioning body.
Ten countries will compete: the United States, Canada, Sweden, Finland, Czechia, Germany, Switzerland, Slovakia, Denmark and Latvia. Pre-tournament exhibitions are also planned in Bemidji, Mankato and Rochester.
Tickets for the Duluth games are on sale now at ticketweb.com. Individual general-admission tickets cost $22, with a three-game package available for $56.
