The bidding process to host the World Cup of Hockey 2028 has begun, and Boston has thrown its hat into the rink.
“Boston is a global sports city, and bringing the World Cup of Hockey 2028 to TD Garden would be a tremendous opportunity — not just for our venue, but for the entire region,” said Glen Thornborough, president of TD Garden and Bruins chief operating officer, in an email.
Eight nations will vie for the championship over a span of 12 days and 17 games in two cities in February of 2028.
One of the cities will host the semifinals and championship games.
The event will be the fourth edition of the World Cup of Hockey, with the tournament being held in 1996 in Philadelphia and Montreal.
Toronto hosted the event in both 2004 and 2016.
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Cities from anywhere in the world are invited to submit bids. Selecting cities anywhere other than North America or Europe would come as no small surprise.
The United States won the first World Cup, and finished as the runner-up to Canada in the next two.
In February, TD Garden hosted the 4 Nations Face-Off, a new NHL player-only event played in lieu of the NHL All-Star Game. Canada again beat the US in the championship game of an international tournament, this one commanding considerable attention and deemed an overall success by media, fans, and the league.
“We’ve made significant investments in TD Garden and The Hub on Causeway to establish ourselves as a premier destination for major national and international events,” said Thornborough. “The success of the 4 Nations Face-Off this past February — with an electric atmosphere fueled by passionate fans — further cemented Boston’s standing on the world stage. We’re putting forward a bold, competitive bid and are grateful for the partnership with the City of Boston and MeetBoston to help bring this world-class tournament to TD Garden.”
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Initial bids are due July 17, with the National Hockey League and the NHL Players Association overseeing the selection process.
Cities making the first cut will begin the official Request for Proposals process in August.
A selection announcement is expected sometime in the first quarter of next year.
“The World Cup of Hockey is a showcase of international hockey at the highest level, and we are thrilled to begin the host city selection process for 2028,” said Gary Bettman, commissioner of the NHL, in a statement. “This tournament offers cities a chance to be part of something truly global, while delivering meaningful economic and cultural benefits in return.”
Marty Walsh, the former Boston mayor and executive director of the NHLPA, added, “The World Cup of Hockey 2028 will bring together the best players in the world, representing their countries with pride,” said Walsh. ”We look forward to working with cities that want to help shape the future of international hockey and inspire a new generation of hockey fans.”
The World Cup of Hockey is expected to take place every four years beginning in 2028, alternating by two years with the Winter Olympics.
Next February, the NHL will pause its schedule to allow players to compete for their countries in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan.
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Michael Silverman can be reached at michael.silverman@globe.com.