- Hlinka Gretzky Cup edmonton runs from August 3–8, 2026, across two Edmonton venues.
- Eight national teams compete in two four-team groups before the medal round.
- Rogers Place hosts the principal games, including the bronze- and gold-medal games.
- TSN and RDS provide official Canadian broadcast coverage for selected tournament games.
- Official schedule pages are the best place to verify puck-drop times, results and broadcast listings.
Hlinka Gretzky Cup Edmonton Venues and Event Dates
The 2026 Hlinka Gretzky Cup takes place in Edmonton from August 3 through August 8, 2026. Games are divided between Rogers Place and Downtown Community Arena, giving fans two different ways to follow the tournament in person.
Rogers Place is the main event venue and is scheduled to host the championship day. Downtown Community Arena provides additional capacity for preliminary-round and classification games. Check the official Hlinka Gretzky Cup website before traveling because game assignments, start times and admission instructions can change.
| Venue | Edmonton role | Fan planning notes |
|---|---|---|
| Rogers Place | Main tournament venue | Reserved seating and official ticket listings |
| Downtown Community Arena | Secondary tournament venue | Check game-day admission and capacity rules |
| Rogers Place | Bronze-medal and gold-medal games | Championship-day destination on August 8, 2026 |
Rogers Place
The primary arena for the tournament, with reserved seating and the headline medal-round games.
Downtown Community Arena
A convenient secondary venue for selected preliminary and placement games in central Edmonton.
Edmonton Game Plan
Confirm the venue, start time and entry instructions for every session before leaving for the arena.
If you are attending more than one game in a day, allow extra time between venues for entry lines, transit and security procedures.
2026 Schedule Structure and Tournament Stages
The 2026 event includes 18 games across five tournament dates. The preliminary round uses a four-team round-robin format, followed by semifinals, placement games and the medal round.
Each team plays three preliminary games against the other countries in its group. The top two teams in each group advance to the semifinals. Teams finishing third and fourth enter classification games that determine fifth and seventh place.
| Date | Stage | Games | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 3, 2026 | Preliminary round | 4 | Group A and Group B games |
| August 4, 2026 | Preliminary round | 4 | Group A and Group B games |
| August 5, 2026 | Preliminary round | 4 | Final group-stage games |
| August 7, 2026 | Semifinals and placement | 4 | Two semifinals, fifth-place game, seventh-place game |
| August 8, 2026 | Medal round | 2 | Bronze-medal game and gold-medal game |
Check the Preliminary Round
Review the official schedule for all group-stage matchups, venues and puck-drop times. Each country plays three games before the playoff bracket is set.
Track Group Results
Update wins, overtime results, losses, goals for, goals against and points after every completed game. Use the same official data source for both scores and standings.
Follow the Semifinal Pairings
The Group A winner faces the Group B runner-up, while the Group B winner faces the Group A runner-up.
Confirm the Placement Path
Third-place teams meet in the fifth-place game, and fourth-place teams meet in the seventh-place game.
Watch Medal Day
On August 8, 2026, semifinal winners play for gold and semifinal losers play for bronze at Rogers Place.
The official schedule is the source of truth for start times and venue assignments. Do not rely on an old social post or an unofficial time conversion.
Teams, Groups and Standings Format
The 2026 field contains eight national under-18 teams. Canada, Slovakia, Sweden and Switzerland are in Group A. Czechia, Finland, Germany and the United States are in Group B. Russia is not part of the 2026 tournament field.
| Group | Teams | Games per team | Advancement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group A | Canada, Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland | 3 | Top two advance to semifinals |
| Group B | Czechia, Finland, Germany, United States | 3 | Top two advance to semifinals |
The standings system rewards regulation wins more heavily than overtime results:
| Result | Points |
|---|---|
| Regulation win | 3 |
| Overtime or shootout win | 2 |
| Overtime or shootout loss | 1 |
| Regulation loss | 0 |
When evaluating the table, focus on points first, then the official tournament tiebreak procedures if teams are level. Goals for, goals against and game results remain useful context, but the tournament standings page should determine the displayed order.
Use the official team standings page for live group positions and the schedule and results page for completed scores.
Tournament Tracking Checklist:
- Record every preliminary-round final score
- Update Group A and Group B points after each game
- Mark the four semifinal qualifiers
- Track fifth-place and seventh-place classification games
- Confirm bronze-medal and gold-medal results on August 8, 2026
Do not assume that goal difference alone decides a tie. Check the tournament’s official standings rules and displayed tiebreak order.
Tickets, Seating and Planning Your Edmonton Visit
Ticket options are organized around how many sessions you want to attend. Full-event packages suit fans following several days, while individual Rogers Place tickets are better for a specific game. Team Canada packages focus on Canada’s scheduled appearances, and family offers may be available for eligible sessions.
The official ticket page should be used for current availability, seating sections and prices. Package costs can vary by Rogers Place section and by the session selected.
| Ticket option | Best for | Seating or access | Purchase approach |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-event package | Multi-day tournament followers | Reserved Rogers Place seat for included sessions | Official online ticket page |
| Team Canada package | Fans prioritizing Canada games | Reserved Rogers Place seating | Select package inclusions online |
| Individual Rogers Place ticket | One specific session | Reserved seat shown on arena map | Choose the listed game |
| Family offer | Families attending eligible sessions | Grouped seating in eligible sections | Select available family rate |
| Downtown Community Arena ticket | Secondary-venue attendees | Venue-assigned or general admission rules | Check game-day instructions |
Before buying, compare the package contents rather than judging only the headline price. A package may include several sessions, while an individual ticket may provide more flexibility for fans with limited availability.
Review the official Hlinka Gretzky Cup tickets page for active listings, payment instructions, seating details and any venue-specific policies.
Buy through official tournament or arena channels, then save the confirmation and verify the venue before traveling to each game.
How to Watch the 2026 Tournament
Canadian viewers can follow selected games through TSN in English and RDS in French. Coverage may include Canadian team games, semifinals and medal-round matchups. Hockey Canada’s video channels are useful for highlights, interviews and post-game features rather than assuming every game is available as a live stream.
Broadcast availability can vary by game and region. Match the listed broadcast designation with the official game time, especially when planning around preliminary-round sessions.
| Coverage source | Language | Primary use | Availability guidance |
|---|---|---|---|
| TSN | English | Selected live games and Canadian coverage | Check the game-by-game listing |
| RDS | French | Selected French-language coverage | Confirm regional schedule |
| Hockey Canada videos | English and French | Highlights, interviews and reactions | Usually posted after covered games |
| Official tournament schedule | English and French | Times, venues and broadcast references | Use for the latest event information |
For the most reliable viewing plan, start with the official 2026 schedule, then confirm the broadcaster on TSN or RDS. Keep the schedule open during the tournament because medal-round matchups depend on semifinal results.
Separate live coverage from highlights when planning your watch list. A post-game video is not a substitute for a live broadcast listing.
Fan FAQ and Official Resources
The Hlinka Gretzky Cup is an international under-18 hockey tournament and a major scouting showcase. Its short schedule creates meaningful pressure: teams have limited recovery time, every group game affects the bracket, and medal-round matchups are decided quickly.
For roster information, use the official team roster page. Player statistics, scoring leaders and goaltending numbers should be checked against the tournament’s official statistics pages as games are recorded.
Q: When is the Hlinka Gretzky Cup in Edmonton?
The 2026 tournament is scheduled for August 3–8, 2026, in Edmonton, Alberta. Games are hosted at Rogers Place and Downtown Community Arena.
Q: Which teams are in the 2026 Hlinka Gretzky Cup?
The eight teams are Canada, Czechia, Finland, Germany, Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland and the United States. Canada, Slovakia, Sweden and Switzerland are in Group A; Czechia, Finland, Germany and the United States are in Group B.
Q: Where are the medal games played?
The bronze-medal and gold-medal games are scheduled for Rogers Place on August 8, 2026.
Q: How can I check Hlinka Gretzky Cup Edmonton scores?
Use the official 2026 schedule and results page for final scores, game times, venues and tournament updates. Standings should be checked on the corresponding official standings page.
| Resource | Use |
|---|---|
| Official tournament website | Event overview, news and navigation |
| 2026 schedule and results | Game times, venues and final scores |
| 2026 standings | Group rankings and points |
| Official ticket page | Packages, seating and availability |
| Hockey Canada videos | Highlights and post-game coverage |
Bookmark the schedule, standings and ticket pages separately so you can reach the information you need without mixing scores, broadcasts and venue details.
The best way to follow the Edmonton tournament is to combine three habits: verify the schedule before each game, track standings after every result, and confirm broadcast or ticket details through official channels. That approach keeps your tournament plan accurate throughout August 2026.