Mankato to Host International Teams for World Junior Hockey Pre-Tournament Series; Tickets Now Available
The 50th anniversary of the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship will take place Dec. 26, 2025 – Jan. 5, 2026, in Saint Paul and Minneapolis, Minnesota. In the leadup to the tournament, teams from around the world will compete in the World Juniors Pre-Tournament Series, presented by Delta Dental of Minnesota, hosted by four Minnesota communities representing the State of Hockey: Mankato, Duluth, Bemidji and Rochester.
As a part of this series, Mankato will host Team Denmark’s official pre-tournament camp at the Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center and will host a pair of highly anticipated games; one between Switzerland and Mankato’s very own Minnesota State University Mavericks, and another between Denmark and Canada.
The City of Mankato and the Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center are honored to be selected as a pre-tournament site for the World Junior Hockey Tournament,” said Eric Jones, co-director of Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center. “We are proud to welcome the teams from Denmark, Switzerland and Canada to Mankato and look forward to showcasing our community’s strong support for hockey, and the commitment to providing an outstanding experience for players and fans alike.”
Mankato is the only host city in Minnesota where a collegiate program will compete directly against a World Junior national team, making this a historic moment for both the community and Minnesota State University, Mankato’s Division I hockey program.
“Bringing the prestigious World Junior teams and games to the Mankato area allows the community to see the stars of tomorrow today,” said Luke Strand, head coach of the Minnesota State Men’s Hockey Team. “For young players and hockey fans alike, to see worldwide stars in their own backyard is not an everyday occurrence.”
Being selected as a host community for the exhibition games is a major win for Mankato, underscoring the city’s ability to successfully host world-class sporting events. These pre-tournament matchups are expected to attract hockey fans from across the country and beyond, generating economic impact while elevating Mankato’s profile as a premier destination for sports, tourism, and hospitality. Visit Mankato, in partnership with Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center and Hilton Garden Inn Mankato, played a key role in securing this opportunity.
“This is an incredible opportunity for our city,” said Ashlee White, director of Visit Mankato. “We’re honored to host Team Denmark’s pre-tournament camp and to welcome international hockey powerhouses like Switzerland and Canada to Mankato. We look forward to giving the visiting teams a warm Minnesota welcome, and we can’t wait to show these teams the hospitality, passion, and spirit that make Mankato a true hockey town.”
Mankato Game Schedule – Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center
- Switzerland vs. Minnesota State University Mavericks
Tuesday, December 16 – 7:00 p.m. CT
Tickets available here.
- Denmark vs. Team Canada
Tuesday, December 23 – 7:00 p.m. CT
Tickets available here.
Tickets for the pre-tournament series are on sale now and are available HERE. Tickets for the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship in Minnesota are on sale now at 2026.worldjunior.hockey. For more information visit WorldJuniorsMN26.com or connect on Facebook, X, Instagram and LinkedIn.
