Duluth to Host Team USA, Finland, and Germany for World Junior Tune-Up Games

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth is about to become the center of the hockey world this December. Team USA, Team Finland, and Team Germany will face off in a series of exhibition games ahead of the 2025-26 IIHF World Junior Championship.

The highly anticipated matchups will take place at AMSOIL Arena on December 19, 21, and 23, marking the final games before the international tournament officially begins on December 26 in the Twin Cities.

“This is a big deal for the State of Hockey,” said Haley Hedstrom, Executive Director of Visit Duluth. “As we bring people here to Duluth, they’ll see our ability to host major sporting events. I feel like this is just the beginning of a very bright future for hockey, international sports, and beyond.”

The Duluth Amateur Hockey Association (DAHA) says this opportunity will not only boost tourism but also inspire local players and give youth a chance to get involved.

“These are their idols — their role models,” said Clare Markley, Executive Office Administrator for DAHA. “We’ve even got some local kids on Team USA, so this will be a huge inspiration. They’ll get to watch their heroes play right here at home and dream about being on that team one day.”

With international talent skating into town, Duluth is gearing up to show the world why it truly is the State of Hockey.