The IIHF World Junior Championships (WJC), established in 1977, is an annual tournament for under-20 national ice hockey teams. It is traditionally held in late December and early January, showcasing the best young hockey talent globally. The competition has grown significantly over the years, with countries like Canada, the U.S., Sweden, and Russia regularly competing for gold.
Canada is the most successful nation in the tournament's history, winning 20 gold medals. The U.S. and Russia follow with several championships. The format has evolved since its inception, and the tournament now features ten teams, with a round-robin group stage leading into the knockout rounds. It remains a key event for scouting future NHL talent.
List of IIHF World Junior Championship Hosts Cities Year by Year
According to TeamUSA, The IIHF World Junior Championship has been held in various cities over the years. In 2024, it took place in Gothenburg, Sweden, where the United States won gold. The 2023 tournament was in Moncton and Halifax, Canada, where Canada took the gold, and the U.S. finished with a bronze.
Canada hosted the 2022 and 2021 tournaments in Edmonton, and the U.S. won gold in 2021. In 2020, the event was in the Czech Republic, and Canada won gold while the U.S. finished sixth. Many tournaments have been in Canada, with other locations including Finland, Sweden, and Russia. The U.S. has had a mix of gold, silver, and bronze finishes throughout these years.
Year - Location | Gold | Silver | Bronze |
2024 - Gothenburg, Sweden | United States | Sweden | Czechia |
2023 - Moncton/Halifax, Canada | Canada | Czechia | United States |
2022 - Edmonton, Canada | Canada | Finland | Sweden |
2021 - Edmonton, Canada | United States | Canada | Finland |
2020 - Ostrava & Trinec, Czech Republic | Canada | Russia | Sweden |
2019 - Vancouver & Victoria, Canada | Finland | United States | Russia |
2018 - Buffalo, N.Y. | Canada | Sweden | United States |
2017 - Montreal and Toronto, Canada | United States | Canada | Russia |
2016 - Helsinki, Finland | Finland | Russia | United States |
2015 - Montreal/Toronto, Canada | Canada | Russia | Slovakia |
2014 - Malmo, Sweden | Finland | Sweden | Russia |
2013 - Ufa, Russia | United States | Sweden | Russia |
2012 - Calgary/Edmonton, Canada | Sweden | Russia | Canada |
2011 - Buffalo/Niagara, N.Y. | Russia | Canada | United States |
2010 - Regina/Saskatoon, Canada | United States | Canada | Sweden |
2009 - Ottawa, Canada | Canada | Sweden | Russia |
2008 - Pardubice/Liberec, Czech Republic | Canada | Sweden | Russia |
2007 - Leksand/Mora, Sweden | Canada | Russia | United States |
2006 - Kamloops/Kelowna/Vancouver, Canada | Canada | Russia | Finland |
2005 - Grand Forks, N.D./Thief River Falls, Minn. | Canada | Russia | Czech Republic |
2004 - Helsinki/Hameenlinna, Finland | United States | Canada | Finland |
2003 - Halifax/Sydney, Canada | Russia | Canada | Finland |
2002 - Pardubice/Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic | Russia | Canada | Finland |
2001 - Moscow/Podolsk, Russia | Czech Republic | Finland | Canada |
2000 - Skelleftea/Umea, Sweden | Czech Republic | Russia | Canada |
1999 - Winnipeg, Canada | Russia | Canada | Slovakia |
1998 - Helsinki/Hameenlinna, Finland | Finland | Russia | Switzerland |
1997 - Geneva/Morges, Switzerland | Canada | United States | Russia |
1996 - Boston, Mass. | Canada | Sweden | Russia |
1995 - Red Deer, Canada | Canada | Russia | Sweden |
1994 - Ostrava/Frydek-Mistek, Czech Republic | Canada | Sweden | Russia |
1993 - Gavle/Fulun, Sweden | Canada | Sweden | Czechoslovakia |
1992 - Fussen/Kaufbeuren, Germany | CIS | Sweden | United States |
1991 - Saskatoon, Canada | Canada | Soviet Union | Czechoslovakia |
1990 - Helsinki/Turku, Finland | Canada | Soviet Union | Czechoslovakia |
1989 - Anchorage, Alaska, United States | Soviet Union | Sweden | Czechoslovakia |
1988 - Moscow, Soviet Union | Canada | Soviet Union | Finland |
1987 - Piestany, Czechoslovakia | Finland | Czechoslovakia | Sweden |
1986 - Hamilton, Canada | Soviet Union | Canada | United States |
1985 - Helsinki/Turku, Finland | Canada | Czechoslovakia | Soviet Union |
1984 - Nykoping, Sweden | Soviet Union | Finland | Czechoslovakia |
1983 - Leningrad, Soviet Union | Soviet Union | Czechoslovakia | Canada |
1982 - Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minn. | Canada | Czechoslovakia | Finland |
1981 - Fussen/Augsburg, Germany | Sweden | Finland | Soviet Union |
1980 - Helsinki, Finland | Soviet Union | Finland | Sweden |
1979 - Karlstad, Sweden | Soviet Union | Czechoslovakia | Sweden |
1978 - Montreal, Canada | Soviet Union | Sweden | Canada |
1977 - Bystrica-Zvolen, Czechoslovakia | Soviet Union | Canada | Czechoslovakia |
1976* - Tampere, Finland | Soviet Union | Canada | Czechoslovakia |
1975* - U.S./Canada | Soviet Union | Canada | Sweden |
1974* - Leningrad, Soviet Union | Soviet Union | Finland | Canada |
FAQs on List of IIHF World Junior Championship Hosts Cities Year by Year
A. The IIHF headquarters is in Zurich, Switzerland.
A. The president of the IIHF is Luc Tardif.
A. The first season was in 1974 (unofficial), and it became official in 1977.
A. The Canadian Tire Centre and TD Place will host the games.
A. The most recent champions are the United States, who won their 6th title in 2024.