WORLD JUNIORS PRE-TOURNAMENT GAMES COMING TO SOUTHWESTERN ONTARIO IN DECEMBER
WORLD JUNIORS PRE-TOURNAMENT GAMES COMING TO SOUTHWESTERN ONTARIO IN DECEMBER
Kitchener Memorial Auditorium & Canada Life Place in London to host Canada-Sweden ahead of 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship
KITCHENER & LONDON, Ontario – The Kitchener Rangers and London Knights have jointly announced that they will each host a pre-tournament game between Canada and Sweden in advance of the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship this December.
The two teams will face each other at Kitchener Memorial Auditorium on Dec. 17, and again at London’s Canada Life Place on Dec. 20, with puck drop set for 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT for both games.
“We are absolutely thrilled to welcome two great hockey nations to the City of Kitchener,” said City of Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic. “Hosting world-class talent in one of the most historic and iconic arenas in the Canadian Hockey League is a true honour for our community and we look forward to giving our fans a chance to witness the future stars of the game up close, while showcasing our great city.”
“I’m thrilled to welcome fans for this exciting World Junior Exhibition game, featuring two of the tournament’s top teams right here in London,” said City of London Mayor Josh Morgan. “London is a proud hockey city, home to the Memorial Cup champion London Knights, and hosting this event is a tremendous boost for our community, tourism industry, and local businesses. We’re excited to host another world-class event here at Canada Life Place and highlight all that London has to offer.”
Canada’s National Junior Team will begin the road to the World Juniors in Niagara Falls, where the Gale Centre will play host for training camp, Dec. 12–22. Canada will conclude the pre-tournament portion of its schedule on Dec. 23 against Denmark at Mankato Civic Centre in Mankato, Minnesota.
“The Aud has hosted many unforgettable games throughout its history and the matchup between Canada and Sweden in December will be no exception,” said Joe Birch, chief operating officer and governor of the Kitchener Rangers. “We cannot wait to show fans across the country and around the world the passion that our community has for hockey and ultimately help the two teams prepare to compete at the World Juniors.”
“It is an honour to host this pre-tournament game and provide our fans an incredible opportunity to see some of the best junior hockey players in the world compete at Canada Life Place,” said London Knights general manager Mark Hunter. “We know that our community will come together to put on a first-class event and provide a special send-off for Canadian players and staff as they play their last game before travelling to Minnesota.”
Individual game tickets start at $40 (plus applicable fees and taxes). Tickets will go on sale to the public on Oct. 31 at 11 a.m. MT/1 p.m. ET; visit HockeyCanada.ca/Tickets to secure your seats.
As the official Canadian broadcast partners of the IIHF World Junior Championship, TSN and RDS will broadcast all three of Canada’s pre-tournament games; please check local listings for details.
About the Kitchener Rangers:
Founded in 1963, the Kitchener Rangers are a community-owned, not-for-profit organization competing in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). When the New York Rangers ended their sponsorship in 1967, Eugene George purchased the team for one dollar and entrusted it to the community, a model that continues today. The club has no single owner; instead, a Board of Directors made up of season ticket members oversees operations.
Playing out of The Aud in Kitchener, Ontario (capacity 7,636), the Rangers have developed over 180 NHL players and coaches, including five Hockey Hall of Fame inductees: Scott Stevens, Bill Barber, Paul Coffey, Larry Robinson, and Al MacInnis.
www.kitchenerrangers.com |@OHLRangers
About the London Knights:
The London Knights are one of the most successful junior hockey franchises in Canadian Hockey League history, winning six OHL Championships (2005, 2012, 2013, 2016, 2024, 2025) and three Memorial Cups (2005, 2016, 2025).
Notable alumni include Corey Perry, a Stanley Cup champion and Olympic gold medalist, Patrick Kane, a three-time Stanley Cup winner and former MVP, and Mitch Marner. Additionally, three Knights players, Dino Ciccarelli, Brendan Shanahan, and Darryl Sittler, have been inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.
The Knights play their home games at Canada Life Place, a 9,046-seat venue built in 2002. Canada Life Place has played host to several major events, including the Tim Hortons Brier, Scotties Tournament of Hearts, Starts on Ice, and an NHL pre-season game between the Philadelphia Flyers and Toronto Maple Leafs.
www.londonknights.com | @LondonKnights
For more information, please contact:
Luca Lombardi
Communications & Community Relations Manager
Kitchener Rangers Hockey Club
[email protected]
Alex Brown
Director of Marketing & Game Day Operations
London Knights Hockey Club
[email protected]
