Quebec City was buzzing with excitement on Thursday as Hockey Canada revealed that the city had been chosen to host the 2027 women’s world hockey championship and co-host the 2029 world junior hockey championship. Trois-Rivières, Que., will also share the responsibility of hosting the world juniors alongside Quebec City during the annual holiday tournament.
The women’s world championship will be exclusively held in Quebec City, with most matches scheduled at the 18,000-seat Videotron Centre. Hockey Canada’s president and CEO, Katherine Henderson, expressed gratitude for the privilege of hosting international events on behalf of the IHFF during a news conference at the Videotron Centre, acknowledging the expected incredible fan support for both tournaments.
This will be the first time Quebec City hosts the women’s world championship, with the event previously taking place in Canada in 2023 in Brampton, Ont. Isabelle Charest, the provincial minister responsible for sport, recreation, and the outdoors, highlighted the pride Quebec feels in hosting these prestigious championships, emphasizing the significance of hockey as a national sport.
Besides the sporting aspect, the tournaments are anticipated to bring economic benefits to the host communities, as outlined by event planner and promoter Gestev. The combined impact of both championships is projected to attract approximately 440,000 tourists and generate an estimated $60 million in revenue.
Quebec City Mayor Bruno Marchand emphasized the substantial economic and visibility benefits the tournaments will bring to the city, positioning it prominently on the global stage. Securing financing and gaining support for the project proved challenging, but with contributions exceeding $10 million from the province, Quebec City, and Trois-Rivières, all funding was sourced through existing government programs.
Reflecting on past tournaments, including the 2008 IHFF event, which Quebec City co-hosted with Halifax, Mayor Marchand expressed confidence that the upcoming championships will surpass previous successes. With the growing popularity of women’s hockey, the 2027 tournament is expected to draw significant attention and support.
Henderson, Hockey Canada’s president, highlighted Quebec City’s role as a natural choice for hosting these championships, citing the province’s strong hockey culture and the city’s potential to engage fans and encourage participation in the sport. The announcement has already sparked enthusiasm among players, with members of the Titans, a collegiate women’s ice hockey team in Quebec City, expressing excitement at the prospect of witnessing top female players compete on home turf.
As anticipation builds for the 2026 women’s world championship host announcement at the upcoming IIHF semi-annual congress, Quebec City’s history of hosting world juniors in 1978, alongside Montreal, adds to the city’s rich hockey legacy. Looking ahead, the 2026 tournament will be held in Minneapolis and Saint Paul, Minn., followed by the 2027 edition in Alberta before moving to Finland in 2028.