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If you want to know how to watch World Juniors hockey this holiday season, the answer in Canada is simple: every game of the 2027 IIHF World Junior Championship airs on TSN in English and RDS in French. Without cable, you can stream it all through a TSN streaming subscription on your phone, TV or computer.
The 2027 tournament is a home event for Canada, played in Edmonton and Red Deer from December 26, 2026 to January 5, 2027. Below you will find the key dates, how to stream it, what it costs and how to get the best picture for the medal games.
2027 World Juniors at a glance
The schedule was announced by the IIHF and Hockey Canada. Here are the main details.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Dates | December 26, 2026 to January 5, 2027 |
| Host cities | Edmonton (Rogers Place) and Red Deer (Marchant Crane Centrium) |
| Group A, Red Deer | Finland, Germany, Slovakia, Sweden, United States |
| Group B, Edmonton | Canada, Czechia, Latvia, Norway, Switzerland |
| Canada’s opener | vs Switzerland, December 26, 7 p.m. ET, Rogers Place |
| Quarter-finals | January 2 |
| Semi-finals | January 4, Rogers Place |
| Bronze and gold | January 5, Rogers Place |
Canada plays all of its preliminary games in Edmonton, which should mean convenient prime-time slots for most of the country.
Where to watch on TV in Canada
TSN and RDS are the Canadian rights holders for the tournament. TSN carries English coverage across its channels, and RDS handles French coverage. If you have a TV package with TSN or RDS from Rogers, Bell, Telus, Shaw, Videotron or another provider, the games are included.
TV subscribers can also sign in to the TSN or RDS apps with their provider credentials to stream on other devices around the house.
How to stream the World Juniors without cable
If you do not have cable, a direct TSN subscription is the legal way to watch. Here is the process.
- Visit tsn.ca or download the TSN app on your phone, smart TV, Apple TV, Google TV, Roku or Fire TV.
- Choose the full TSN streaming plan, not just TSN+. The full plan includes live TSN channels, which is where the games air.
- Daily Hive listed the full TSN plan at around $29.99 per month or $244.99 per year in July 2026. Check the current price on TSN’s site.
- For French coverage, look at RDS’s streaming option instead.
Because the tournament runs about 11 days, a single month of TSN covers the whole event. Subscribe in mid-December and set a reminder to cancel in January if you do not need it afterwards.
What about Sportsnet, CBC or Prime Video?
The World Juniors are not on Sportsnet, CBC or Prime Video in Canada. Rogers’ NHL deal and Prime Video’s Wednesday games relate to the NHL only. If you search for the tournament on those apps, you will not find live games.
If you travel to the United States over the holidays, coverage there has been handled by NHL Network in recent years, so check US listings. Respect the rules of each service and its region rather than trying to bypass geo-restrictions.
Getting a smooth stream for the big games
The gold medal game is a huge night for Canadian viewers, especially with the tournament on home ice, and streaming servers get busy. A few steps help.
- Use a wired connection or strong Wi-Fi near the TV.
- Update the TSN app a day before the game.
- Log in early, at least 15 minutes before puck drop.
- Close other streams in the house during the game.
Our connection troubleshooting guide covers common fixes for buffering and freezing. If your TV is older, a recent streaming stick from our non-smart TV device guide will run the TSN app well.
Planning around the holiday schedule
Because the tournament spans Boxing Day, New Year’s Eve and the first days of January, it helps to plan ahead.
- Subscribe before December 26. Sign-up pages and payment systems get busy right before Canada’s opener.
- Test the app on every TV you will use. Holiday gatherings often mean watching at a relative’s home, so log in there in advance.
- Check the time zone. The schedule is published in Eastern time, while games are played in Mountain time in Alberta.
- Mark the knockout dates. Quarter-finals are on January 2, semi-finals on January 4 and the medal games on January 5.
- Know your device limits. Check how many simultaneous streams your TSN plan allows if several people in the house want to watch on different screens.
Avoid unofficial World Juniors streams
Every year, social media fills up with links promising free World Juniors streams. They are not licensed, often lag well behind the real action, and can hide malware or payment scams. It is also worth remembering that rebroadcasting TSN without permission is copyright infringement in Canada. Our article on IPTV legality in Canada explains where the legal line sits.
For the World Juniors themselves, TSN and RDS are the official route.
Best way to watch, depending on your situation
If you already have cable with TSN, simply use the TSN app on any screen. If you cut the cord, a single month of TSN streaming is the cheapest full-tournament option. If you prefer French commentary, RDS is your channel. And if you want to be there in person, games are in Edmonton and Red Deer, with tickets sold through official Hockey Canada channels.
FAQ
What channel is the World Juniors on in Canada?
TSN broadcasts the 2027 World Juniors in English and RDS in French. Every game is covered.
When does the 2027 World Junior Championship start?
The tournament runs from December 26, 2026 to January 5, 2027. Canada opens against Switzerland on December 26 at 7 p.m. ET in Edmonton.
Can I watch the World Juniors on TSN+?
The games air on the main TSN channels. You need the full TSN streaming plan or a TV package with TSN; TSN+ alone is aimed at extra content.
When is the gold medal game?
The bronze and gold medal games are on January 5, 2027 at Rogers Place in Edmonton. Check TSN’s schedule for exact start times.
Is there a free way to watch the World Juniors?
There is no free over-the-air broadcast in Canada. Look for any official TSN free trial or promotion in December, and avoid unofficial streams.
Part of our guides: Canada streaming guide · NHL streaming guide
