BEMIDJI — When the Sanford Center was named a preliminary site for the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship in April, Bemidji became one of four Minnesota locations to earn the honor.
Now, further information about the preliminary games has been revealed.
The Sanford Center will host Czechia, Latvia and Slovakia, with each team playing two games Dec. 19-23 before heading to the Twin Cities for the World Junior Championship on Dec. 26.
Czechia will play Latvia at 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 19. Latvia will then play Slovakia at 7 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 21. Slovakia and Czechia close out the exhibitions at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 23.
The Sanford Center
is selling single-game tickets
only through Ticketmaster at $42.25, fees included. Other preliminary sites are offering
for their respective games.
The 2026 World Juniors officially get underway on Friday, Dec. 26, at Grand Casino Arena — formerly known as Xcel Energy Center — in St. Paul and at 3M Arena at Mariucci in Minneapolis, with the gold and bronze medal games scheduled for Jan. 5, in St. Paul.
and
are also serving as preliminary sites before the tournament kicks off. The Minnesota State men’s hockey team will take on Switzerland’s junior national team in an exhibition on Dec. 16.
At Sanford Center, Bemidji
Friday, Dec. 19 — Czechia vs. Latvia, 7 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 21 — Latvia vs. Slovakia, 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 23 — Slovakia vs. Czechia, 6 p.m.
At Amsoil Arena, Duluth
Friday, Dec. 19 — Finland vs. Germany, 7 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 21 — USA vs. Germany, 4 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 23 — Finland vs. USA, 6 p.m.
At Mayo Clinic Health Event Center, Mankato
Tuesday, Dec. 16 — Switzerland vs. Minnesota State, 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 23 — Denmark vs. Canada, 7 p.m.
At Rochester Rec Center, Rochester
Sunday, Dec. 21 — Denmark vs. Switzerland, 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 23 — Switzerland vs. Sweden, 7 p.m.
