MN Hockey World Showdown

Come play minnesota’s best. in the state of hockey.

A World showdown in The gritty north.

Minnesota isn’t just a hockey destination—it’s the State of Hockey. Here, the game is a way of life, with kids growing up on frozen lakes and neighborhood rinks, representing their hometowns instead of private clubs. Our community-based model builds loyalty, pride, and lifelong friendships, as entire towns rally behind their teams.

For visiting teams, playing in Minnesota feels different – because it is. From high school tournaments drawing 20,000 fans to youth games that feel like marquee events, this is where tradition meets top-tier talent. If you want more than just a tournament—if you want a true hockey experience—Minnesota is where it happens.

Tournament Overview

World Showdown: Elite Youth Hockey Meets the World Juniors

Experience the World Showdown, a premier international youth hockey tournament in Minnesota, held during the IIHF World Junior Championships! This five-day event features seven guaranteed games, top-tier competition, and unforgettable winter hockey vibes in the gritty north. Play on elite ice, connect with teams from around the world, and soak in the energy of the State of Hockey. From the first puck drop to championship glory, this is where the future of global hockey battles and shines!

Age Groups / Divisions

 

Minnesota Classification

USA Hockey

Canada Classification

IIHF

Birth Years

18U AAA

Youth 18U AAA

Youth 18U AAA

2007 & 2008

16U AAA

Youth 16U AAA

Youth U16 AAA

2009 & 2010

Jr. Gold A

Youth High School

  

Jr. Gold B

Youth High School

  

Bantam AA

Youth 14U Tier I

Youth U15 AAA

2011 & 2012

Bantam A

Youth 14U Tier II

Youth U15 AA

2011 & 2012

Pee Wee AA

Youth 12U AAA

Youth U13 AA

2013 & 2014

Pee Wee A

Youth 12U AA

Youth U13 A

2013 & 2014

Squirt A

Youth 10U AAA

Youth U11 AA

2015 & 2016

Squirt B

Youth 10U AA

Youth U11 BB

2015 & 2016

Girls 10U A

Girls 10U

Girls U11 AA

2015 & 2016

Girls 10U B

Girls 10U

Girls U11 A

2015 & 2016

Girls 12U A

Girls 12U

Girls U13 Tier 1

2013 & 2014

Girls 12U B

Girls 12U

Girls U13 Tier 2

2013 & 2014

Girls 15U A

Girls 14U Tier I

Girls U15 Tier 1

2011 & 2012

Girls 19U

Girls 19U Tier 1

Girls U18 Tier 1

2011 & 2012

Division Locations TBA

Tournament Format

Divisions will feature 16 teams, each competing in seven games throughout the event. The division will be structured into four pools of four teams, with each team playing three round-robin games within their pool, plus one crossover matchup. After pool play, teams will be seeded within their group, with the top two advancing to the “Gold” bracket and the bottom two moving to the “Silver” bracket. From there, each team will battle through three additional games, ensuring a highly competitive and exciting tournament experience for everyone.

Game Length:

  • Five (5) minute warm-up
  • Three (3) stop-time periods with a resurface every two (2) periods
  • Squirts/10U = 13 minute periods (75-min ice times)
  • Pee Wee/12U + = 15 minute periods (90-min ice times)

IIHF & USA Hockey Sanctioned

The World Showdown is a USA Hockey and Minnesota Hockey sanctioned event. All teams must have approved rosters and necessary travel waivers. Contact us for assistance, if needed.

Stay and Play Event

This is a stay and play event. Teams are required to use the hotel(s) and booking link(s) provided by the World Showdown. Stay must be a minimum of fifteen (15) rooms for five (5) nights. Teams that do not meet this requirement will be charged $75 per room per night not used. Teams that reside within 100 miles of St. Paul, MN are exempt from this requirement.

Experience hockey across Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN! Each Division will be assigned a host site and host association. Our community associations are excited to have you! Team hotels will be nearby your host arena.

Arena

City

Host Association

Cottage Grove Ice Arena

Cottage Grove, MN

Cottage Grove Youth Hockey

Forest Lake Ice Arena

Forest Lake, MN

MN District 2 Hockey

Fogerty Arena

Blaine, MN

MN District 10 Hockey

M Health Fairview Sports Center

Woodbury, MN

MN District 2 Hockey

NSC Super Rink

Blaine, MN

Moundsview/Irondale Youth Hockey

St. Croix Rec Center

Stillwater, MN

MN District 2 Hockey

St. Louis Park Rec Center

St. Louis Park, MN

Hopkins & SLP Youth Hockey

Vadnais Heights Sports Center

Vadnais Heights, MN

MN District 2 Hockey

Hopkins Pavillion

Hopkins, MN

Hopkins & SLP Youth Hockey

More hosts to be added!

Thank you for your interest in participating in the 2025 World Showdown in Minnesota! Complete the team information form below and someone from Team Recruitment will contact you regarding registration. Please note: not all teams are guaranteed a spot in the World Showdown.

Team Fee:

Squirt/10U: $3,150.00

Pee Wee/12U & Older: $3,325.00

A $500.00 non-refundable downpayment is required within 72-hours of team acceptance into the event.

What are the age divisions and eligibility requirements for the tournament?

All teams must be registered with their National Governing Body recognized by the International Ice Hockey Federation (ie. USA Hockey, Hockey Canada, etc). Divisions can be found by clicking here.

Divisions will feature 16 teams, each competing in seven games throughout the event. The division will be structured into four pools of four teams, with each team playing three round-robin games within their pool, plus one crossover matchup. After pool play, teams will be seeded within their group, with the top two advancing to the “Gold” bracket and the bottom two moving to the “Silver” bracket. From there, each team will battle through three additional games, ensuring a highly competitive and exciting tournament experience for everyone.

Divisions will be hosted at sites across the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. Divisions will stay at a single location (or multiple locations close to each other). 

Teams interested should complete the Team Interest Form and a member of the Recruitment Committee will contact you.

Teams will have access to purchase tickets for the IIHF World Junior Championships once individual game sales are open to the public.

World Showdown is an elite level tournament. Teams at Minnesota AA & A, USA Tier I & II, and international equivalents, will be playing.

This is a stay and play event. Teams are required to use the hotel(s) and booking link(s) provided by the World Showdown. Stay must be a minimum of fifteen (15) rooms for five (5) nights. Teams that do not meet this requirement will be charged $75 per room per night not used. Teams that reside within 100 miles of St. Paul, MN are exempt from this requirement.

Yes. More information to come!

.

Hosts will do their best to accommodate requests, however, we cannot guarantee this.

Yes, contact Susie MacMillan (Chair, Team & Player Services) for assistance. Susie can be reached at:

612-325-3392

[email protected]

Contact Jacob Mars, Event Director, at 612-747-8869 or [email protected] for more information.

Contact Mike Mannin, Officials Director, to inquire. Mike can be reached at 763-807-2678 or [email protected]

Jeremy Reed

Recruitment Coordinator

507-766-3424

[email protected]

Jacob Mars

Event Director

612-747-8869 (call, text, WhatsApp)

[email protected]

Susan MacMillan

Team & Player Services

612-325-3392

[email protected]