Legislators propose $5 million funding to aid hosting of hockey's world juniors

Minnesota will be the center of the men’s hockey world when the prestigious World Junior Hockey Championship comes to town in late December and early January.

But it comes at a cost.

St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter was among those seeking state support for the event before the House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee Tuesday.

Sponsored by Rep. Matt Norris (DFL-Blaine), HF1007 proposes a $5 million General Fund allocation for the championship, which coincides with the event’s 50th anniversary. The ask was held over for possible inclusion in a funding bill.

Organized by the International Ice Hockey Federation, the 10-day, 10-nation tournament features the best players under 20 years old. It is scheduled for Dec. 26, 2025, through Jan. 5, 2026, at St. Paul’s Xcel Center and the University of Minnesota’s 3M Arena at Mariucci. Pre-tournament games and practices are slated for Duluth, Bemidji and Mankato as well as at the National Sports Center in Blaine. About 250,000 visitors are expected.

Hockey legend Lou Nanne called the World Juniors second only to the Olympics for men’s hockey.

“This is going to be a two-week commercial for the state of Minnesota,” he said.

Funding would go to Minnesota Sports and Events, a nonprofit organization whose past events include the Big Ten basketball tournament for men and women and the 2024 U.S. Olympics Gymnastics Trials, which received state funding. The latter generated $74.8 million in economic activity and $5.7 million in state and local tax revenue, according to Minnesota Sports and Events president and CEO Wendy Blackshaw.  

Rep. Dave Pinto (DFL-St. Paul) noted the championships will happen here with or without state funding. But bill supporters say the money should be considered an investment instead of expense.

Permitting, transportation, and public safety costs could be paid by state funding or ticket revenue, Blackshaw said. With state funding, Minnesota Sports and Events could use ticket revenue to secure bids for future high-profile events, such as the 2028 USA Gymnastics Team Trials, NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships, the NFL Draft, and the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

“When money is tight, we need to focus on what’s truly important,” Norris said. “This is really going to be something special. We’ve got the momentum – let’s keep it going.”