The 2025 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship is set to take place in Ottawa, Ontario, from December 26, 2024, to January 5, 2025. This annual tournament features the world’s top ice hockey players under the age of 20, representing their countries in a quest for the gold medal.
Participating Teams
The ten teams are divided into two groups:
Group A:
- Canada
- Finland
- Germany
- Latvia
- United States
Group B:
- Czechia
- Kazakhstan
- Slovakia
- Sweden
- Switzerland
Pre-Tournament Games Schedule
Before the official matches begin, teams will participate in exhibition games across various locations in Ontario.
Here are some of the scheduled pre-tournament games:
| Date | Matchups | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday, December 19, 2024 | Switzerland vs. Canada | 7:00 p.m. | Ottawa, Ontario |
| Thursday, December 19, 2024 | Kazakhstan vs. Germany | 7:00 p.m. | Arnprior, Ontario |
| Friday, December 20, 2024 | Latvia vs. Czechia | 5:00 p.m. | Brockville, Ontario |
| Friday, December 20, 2024 | Finland vs. Slovakia | 7:00 p.m. | Cornwall, Ontario |
| Saturday, December 21, 2024 | Slovakia vs. United States | 7:00 p.m. | Kingston, Ontario |
Preliminary Games Schedule
The tournament kicks off on Thursday, December 26, 2024, with the following matchups:
| Date | Matchups | Venue | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec. 26 | Sweden vs. Slovakia | TD Place | 12:00 p.m. |
| Germany vs. United States | Canadian Tire Centre | 2:30 p.m. | |
| Switzerland vs. Czechia | TD Place | 5:00 p.m. | |
| Canada vs. Finland | Canadian Tire Centre | 7:30 p.m. | |
| Dec. 27 | Slovakia vs. Switzerland | TD Place | 1:00 p.m. |
| Finland vs. Germany | Canadian Tire Centre | 3:30 p.m. | |
| Kazakhstan vs. Sweden | TD Place | 5:00 p.m. | |
| Canada vs. Latvia | Canadian Tire Centre | 7:30 p.m. | |
| Dec. 28 | Czechia vs. Kazakhstan | TD Place | 1:00 p.m. |
| United States vs. Latvia | Canadian Tire Centre | 3:30 p.m. | |
| Dec. 29 | Sweden vs. Switzerland | TD Place | 12:00 p.m. |
| Finland vs. United States | Canadian Tire Centre | 2:30 p.m. | |
| Slovakia vs. Czechia | TD Place | 5:00 p.m. | |
| Germany vs. Canada | Canadian Tire Centre | 7:30 p.m. | |
| Dec. 30 | Kazakhstan vs. Slovakia | TD Place | 1:00 p.m. |
| Latvia vs. Germany | Canadian Tire Centre | 3:30 p.m. | |
| Dec. 31 | Switzerland vs. Kazakhstan | TD Place | 12:00 p.m. |
| Latvia vs. Finland | Canadian Tire Centre | 2:30 p.m. | |
| Czechia vs. Sweden | TD Place | 5:00 p.m. | |
| United States vs. Canada | Canadian Tire Centre | 7:30 p.m. |
The preliminary round continues with games scheduled daily through Tuesday, December 31, 2024. Notably, the highly anticipated matchup between Canada and the United States is set for December 31 at 7:30 p.m.
Playoff Rounds Schedule
The quarterfinals are scheduled for Thursday, January 2, 2025, with games at 12:00 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 5:00 p.m., and 7:30 p.m. with the following matchups:
| Date | Matchups | Venue | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan. 2 | Quarterfinal 1 | TD Place | 12:00 p.m. |
| Quarterfinal 2 | Canadian Tire Centre | 2:30 p.m. | |
| Quarterfinal 3 | TD Place | 5:00 p.m. | |
| Quarterfinal 4 | Canadian Tire Centre | 7:30 p.m. |
The semifinals will take place on Saturday, January 4, 2025, at 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
| Date | Matchups | Venue | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan. 4 | Semifinal 1 | Canadian Tire Centre | 3:30 p.m. |
| Semifinal 2 | Canadian Tire Centre | 7:30 p.m. |
The tournament concludes on Sunday, January 5, 2025, with the bronze medal game at 3:30 p.m., followed by the championship or gold medal game at 7:30 p.m. in Canadian Tire Centre.
Where to Watch
In Canada, games will be broadcast on TSN, while in the United States, coverage will be available on the NHL Network. Please check out our complete guide on how to watch World Juniors live here.
Additional Information
For a complete schedule, including all pre-tournament and preliminary round games, as well as ticket information, please visit the official IIHF website:
This championship offers a thrilling opportunity to witness the future stars of hockey compete on an international stage. Be sure to mark your calendars and support your favorite teams throughout this exciting tournament.