Hockey Canada announced on December 1, 2016 that the 2019 IIHF World Junior Championship was awarded to the Province of British Columbia, and would be co-hosted by the cities of Vancouver and Victoria, Dec. 26, 2018 to Jan. 5, 2019.
Vancouver and Victoria along with its partners submitted a winning bid to host the 2019 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship with 19 games to take place in Vancouver at Rogers Arena and 14 games in Victoria at Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre. Vancouver last hosted the IIHF World Junior Championship in 2006 when Team Canada went undefeated in group play with impressive shut-out victories in the semifinal and final, leading to the gold medal
In the two years since Hockey Canada announced that B.C. was awarded the 2019 IIHF World Junior Championship, the local host committee has worked closely with Hockey Canada and its local partners on the preparation to host what has become a Canadian holiday tradition for fans from coast to coast to coast.
THE PAST
Last hosted in BC in 2006, the World Juniors took place in Vancouver, Kelowna and Kamloops. Team Canada was the winner defeating Russia 5–0 in the gold medal game and the total tournament attendance was 325,138 (a new record at the time) spread over 31 games, for an average of 10,488 per game.
Setting attendance records, exceeding revenue targets and inspiring a new generation of hockey fans - the 2006 IIHF World Junior Championship built a new path to success, and Vancouver was proud of our contribution to the events growth and trajectory.
THE PLAYMAKERS
The local Host Committee - co-chaired by Ron Toigo, managing director of Shato Holdings and president and majority owner of the WHL’s Vancouver Giants, and Barry Petrachenko, chief executive officer of BC Hockey - created a BC Bid to host the 2019 World Juniors centred around the opportunity to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of BC Hockey.
Leading in to the 2019 IIHF World Junior Championship the host committee has formed The Playmakers group, bringing together business leaders from across B.C. to serve as event ambassadors and strategic advisors, as well as serving as a connection to local partners and businesses in Vancouver and Victoria.
The Playmakers have helped share the message from Hockey Canada and the host committee, and support initiatives around community engagement and the benefits of hosting the World Juniors in their backyard.
A TRULY PROVINCIAL EVENT
In addition to the official tournament games in Vancouver and Victoria, pre-tournament matches will be held in B.C. communities – expanding the impact of the event in the province. Nine communities across British Columbia will play host to all 10 competing teams during 12 pre-tournament games from Dec. 18-23, before the puck officially drops Boxing Day on the 2019 IIHF World Junior Championship in Vancouver and Victoria.
THE PRESENT
Fans can show their pride this December with a number of ticket options to help them REPRESENT in Vancouver, including single-game tickets which are now available. A limited quantity of full-event ticket packages are available for purchase in Vancouver and Victoria, along with nine- and 10-game ticket pack options available at HockeyCanada.ca/Tickets.
Tickets have been purchased from around the globe, including France, Germany, Russia, Finland, Sweden, the U.S. and every Canadian province.
See you on Boxing Day!
