Gothenburg, Sweden – The much-anticipated 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship is set to commence in Gothenburg, Sweden, from December 26, 2023, through January 5, 2024. This year’s tournament promises to be a thrilling display of young hockey talent, featuring ten nations competing for the coveted title.
The opening day, December 26, will see four exciting matchups, including the United States taking on Norway. The U.S. team, placed in Group B, will play its preliminary round games at Frolundaborg in Gothenburg, sharing the group with Czechia, Slovakia, Switzerland, and Norway. Meanwhile, Group A, comprising Canada, Sweden, Finland, Germany, and Latvia, will have their games at Scandinavium in Gothenburg.
Reigning champions Canada, who have won the title consecutively, will begin their campaign against Finland in what is expected to be a highly competitive match. Canada’s strong performance in previous tournaments has set high expectations for their performance this year.
In the backdrop of these exciting games, Russia’s absence is notable, as the team remains banned from international play due to the country’s invasion of Ukraine. This has reshaped the dynamics of the tournament, with other teams seeing this as an opportunity to capitalize on the altered competitive landscape.
The tournament structure will see the top four teams from each group advancing to the quarterfinals, scheduled for January 2. The pressure and intensity are expected to ramp up as teams vie for a spot in the semifinals and relegation game on January 4. The climax of the championship will be the third-place and the championship games at Scandinavium on January 5.
Fans around the world can tune in to witness these young athletes showcase their skills and determination. The broadcast schedule is packed with back-to-back action across the tournament days, ensuring that enthusiasts won’t miss a moment of this high-stakes championship.
As teams converge in Gothenburg, the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship is not just a tournament; it’s a celebration of young talent, sportsmanship, and the unifying power of hockey. With nations rallying behind their teams, the stage is set for what promises to be an unforgettable showcase of the future stars of hockey.
2024 WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE
Tuesday, Dec. 26
Slovakia vs. Czechia, Frolundaborg, 6 a.m. ET (NHLN, TSN3)
Finland vs. Canada, Scandinavium, 8:30 a.m. ET (NHLN, TSN)
United States vs. Norway, Frolundaborg, 11 a.m. ET (NHLN, TSN)
Sweden vs. Latvia, Scandinavium, 1:30 p.m. ET (NHLN, TSN)
Wednesday, Dec. 27
Slovakia vs. Switzerland, Frolundaborg, 6 a.m. ET (NHLN, TSN)
Finland vs. Germany, Scandinavium, 8:30 a.m. ET (NHLN, TSN)
Norway vs. Czechia, Frolundaborg, 11 a.m. ET (NHLN, TSN3)
Latvia vs. Canada, Scandinavium, 1:30 p.m. ET (NHLN, TSN)
Thursday, Dec. 28
Switzerland vs. United States, Frolundaborg, 11 a.m. ET (NHLN, TSN)
Germany vs. Sweden, Scandinavium, 1:30 p.m. ET (NHLN, TSN)
Friday, Dec. 29
Norway vs. Slovakia, Frolundaborg, 6 a.m. ET (NHLN, TSN)
Latvia vs. Finland, Scandinavium, 8:30 a.m. ET (NHLN, TSN)
Czechia vs. United States, Frolundaborg, 11 a.m. ET (NHLN, TSN3)
Canada vs. Sweden, Scandinavium, 1:30 p.m. ET (NHLN, TSN)
Saturday, Dec. 30
Switzerland vs. Norway, Frolundaborg, 11 a.m. ET (NHLN, TSN)
Germany vs. Latvia, Scandinavium, 1:30 p.m. ET (NHLN, TSN)
Sunday, Dec. 31
United States vs. Slovakia, Frolundaborg, 6 a.m. ET (NHLN, TSN)
Sweden vs. Finland, Scandinavium, 8:30 a.m. ET (NHLN, TSN3)
Czechia vs. Switzerland, Frolundaborg, 11 a.m. ET (NHLN, TSN3)
Canada vs. Germany, Scandinavium, 1:30 p.m. ET (NHLN, TSN4)
Tuesday, Jan. 2
Quarterfinal 1, Frolundaborg, 6 a.m. ET (NHLN, TSN3)
Quarterfinal 2, Scandinavium, 8:30 a.m. ET (NHLN, TSN)
Quarterfinal 3, Frolundaborg, 11 a.m. ET (NHLN, TSN)
Quarterfinal 4, Scandinavium, 1:30 p.m. ET (NHLN, TSN)
Thursday, Jan. 4 (Scandinavium)
Relegation game, 5 a.m. ET (NHLN, TSN4)
Semifinal 1, 9 a.m. ET (NHLN, TSN)
Semifinal 2, 1:30 p.m. ET (NHLN, TSN)
Friday, Jan. 5 (Scandinavium)
Third-place game, 9 a.m. ET (NHLN)
Championship game, 1:30 p.m. ET (NHLN)