Local hockey fans will have a chance to see the top NHL prospects playing in Windsor this summer.
The Windsor Spitfires announced on Tuesday morning that the 2026 World Junior Summer Showcase will take place from July 26 to August 1 at the WFCU Centre.
Spitfires Owner and Governor John Savage said that the team was first made aware of the possibility of hosting a few weeks ago, while the Spitfires were in the OHL playoffs.
"Before we were given the green light, we checked on the rink and the ice availability, we reached out to the mayor's office and started further discussions with respect to the City's involvement, along with TWEPI and the rest of the group," said Savage.
The field will feature players, many of them top NHL prospects, from Canada, the US, Finland, and Sweden. They will play ten games in preparation for the 2027 World Juniors, which will take place during the holiday season in Alberta.
TWEPI President and CEO Gordon Orr added that the event is another prime opportunity to show off Windsor-Essex as a hockey-crazed community, even in the dog days of summer.
"Hosting the World Junior Summer Showcase isn't just about great hockey. It's about putting our city in front of a global audience," said Orr. "We're welcoming some of the best young hockey players in the world, future NHL stars. Events like this don't come around very often."
While the Summer Showcase will not be the first time junior hockey players from around the world have played in Windsor, it will be the first time the full four-team tournament has been played locally.
Canada will begin its tournament play on Wednesday, July 29, at 7 p.m. against Sweden.
Tickets for group packages go on sale this Friday, and individual tickets will be available on Monday.
