IIHF World Junior Championship 2026 winners and medalists

The IIHF World Junior Championship is an annual Under-20 ice hockey tournament organized by the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF). It is held from late December to early January and features the Top Division, where the world champion is crowned. Lower divisions (I, II, III) hold separate tournaments, with winners promoted to higher pools and last-placed teams relegated.

History

The first official championship was in 1977, following invitational tournaments in 1974, 1975, and 1976. Since then, it has grown into one of the most important events for young hockey players worldwide.

Recent Champion

In the 2024 tournament, the USA defeated Sweden 6-2 in the Gold Medal Game in Scandinavium, Gothenburg, Sweden.

All-Time Gold Medal Leaders

  • Canada – 20 gold medals in 47 tournaments
  • Russia/USSR/CIS – 13 gold medals
  • United States – 6 gold medals
  • Finland – 3 gold medals
  • Sweden – 1 gold medal

Only six nations have ever won gold, while ten nations have taken medals. Canada has dominated, including two streaks of five straight championships (1993–1997 and 2005–2009). The USSR won the first four official tournaments.

Fast Facts for Fans

  • Most successful team: Canada (20 golds)
  • Rising stars: USA and Finland in the 2010s
  • Total official tournaments: 45
  • Medal-winning nations: 10

The World Juniors remain a must-watch event for hockey fans, showcasing future NHL talent and national pride on the international stage.

YearHostGoldSilverBronze
2025––––
2024Scandinavium, Frolundaborg, in Gothenburg, SwedenUSASwedenCzechia
2023Halifax, Nova Scotia, and Moncton, New Brunswick, CanadaCanadaCzechiaUnited States
2022Edmonton and Red Deer, CanadaCanadaFinlandSweden
2021Edmonton, CanadaUnited StatesCanadaFinland
2020Ostrava & Trinec, Czech RepublicCanadaRussiaSweden
2019Vancouver & Victoria, CanadaFinlandUnited StatesRussia
2018Buffalo, N.Y.CanadaSwedenUnited States
2017Montreal and Toronto, CanadaUnited StatesCanadaRussia
2016Helsinki, FinlandFinlandRussiaUnited States
2015Montreal / Toronto, CanadaCanadaRussiaSlovakia
2014Malmo, SwedenFinlandSwedenRussia
2013Ufa, RussiaUnited StatesSwedenRussia
2012Calgary / Edmonton, CanadaSwedenRussiaCanada
2011Buffalo / Niagara, N.Y.RussiaCanadaUnited States
2010Regina / Saskatoon, CanadaUnited StatesCanadaSweden
2009Ottawa, CanadaCanadaSwedenRussia
2008Pardubice / Liberec, Czech RepublicCanadaSwedenRussia
2007Leksand / Mora, SwedenCanadaRussiaUnited States
2006Kamloops / Kelowna / Vancouver, CanadaCanadaRussiaFinland
2005Grand Forks, N.D. / Thief River Falls, Minn.CanadaRussiaCzech Republic
2004Helsinki / Hameenlinna, FinlandUnited StatesCanadaFinland
2003Halifax / Sydney, CanadaRussiaCanadaFinland
2002Pardubice / Hradec Kralove, Czech RepublicRussiaCanadaFinland
2001Moscow / Podolsk, RussiaCzech RepublicFinlandCanada
2000Skelleftea / Umea, SwedenCzech RepublicRussiaCanada
1999Winnipeg, CanadaRussiaCanadaSlovakia
1998Helsinki / Hameenlinna, FinlandFinlandRussiaSwitzerland
1997Geneva / Morges, SwitzerlandCanadaUnited StatesRussia
1996Boston, Mass.CanadaSwedenRussia
1995Red Deer, CanadaCanadaRussiaSweden
1994Ostrava / Frydek-Mistek, Czech RepublicCanadaSwedenRussia
1993Gavle / Fulun, SwedenCanadaSwedenCzechoslovakia
1992Fussen / Kaufbeuren, GermanyCISSwedenUnited States
1991Saskatoon, CanadaCanadaSoviet UnionCzechoslovakia
1990Helsinki / Turku, FinlandCanadaSoviet UnionCzechoslovakia
1989Anchorage, Alaska, United StatesSoviet UnionSwedenCzechoslovakia
1988Moscow, Soviet UnionCanadaSoviet UnionFinland
1987Piestany, CzechoslovakiaFinlandCzechoslovakiaSweden
1986Hamilton, CanadaSoviet UnionCanadaUnited States
1985Helsinki / Turku, FinlandCanadaCzechoslovakiaSoviet Union
1984Nykoping, SwedenSoviet UnionFinlandCzechoslovakia
1983Leningrad, Soviet UnionSoviet UnionCzechoslovakiaCanada
1982Minneapolis / St. Paul, Minn.CanadaCzechoslovakiaFinland
1981Fussen / Augsburg, GermanySwedenFinlandSoviet Union
1980Helsinki, FinlandSoviet UnionFinlandSweden
1979Karlstad, SwedenSoviet UnionCzechoslovakiaSweden
1978Montreal, CanadaSoviet UnionSwedenCanada
1977Bystrica-Zvolen, CzechoslovakiaSoviet UnionCanadaCzechoslovakia
1976Tampere, FinlandSoviet UnionCanadaCzechoslovakia
1975U.S. / CanadaSoviet UnionCanadaSweden
1974Leningrad, Soviet UnionSoviet UnionFinlandCanada