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Saint Paul and event organizers seek $5 million in state support for 2026 World Junior Hockey Championship
Summary
Senate File 1061 asks for a $5 million state grant to help host the 2026 World Junior Hockey Championship across Minnesota; proponents estimate a $75 million economic impact and said state funds would cover local labor, public safety and event operations.
Senate File 1061 would authorize a $5,000,000 grant to support costs associated with Minnesota hosting the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship, a multi‑venue international hockey tournament.
Saint Paul Mayor Melvin Carter, testifying as an honorary co‑chair, asked the committee to approve the grant and said the event could draw roughly 200,000–250,000 fans and generate an estimated $75 million in economic activity for the state. Carter and other testifiers said the request is a public‑private partnership and that state funding would be reinvested in expenses that remain in Minnesota, including local union labor, public safety, permitting and operations.
Wendy Blackshaw, president and CEO of Minnesota Sports and Events, said the organization expects hundreds of thousands of fans across multiple Twin Cities venues, fan fests and ancillary events; she pointed to the organization’s recent work on the U.S. gymnastics Olympic trials as a comparable example of local economic impact. University of Minnesota men’s hockey head coach Bob Motzko and community speakers including Skye Boucher emphasized the tournament’s cultural and community importance. Senator Frentz, author of the bill, cited the jobs committee’s framework of “what does it cost and what does it pay” and urged investment because of estimated statewide economic returns.
Supporters offered an economic justification repeatedly during committee discussion. Several senators including Housley, Joy, and Pratt spoke in favor, noting past event successes and projected tax revenue returns. Opposing testimony was not recorded in committee; questions focused on funding mechanism, the absence of an ongoing revenue stream and comparisons to past events.
The committee laid Senate File 1061 over for possible inclusion.
The bill lists the funding source as an Explore Minnesota grant in testimony and proponents argued state contribution is an investment that flows back to local businesses and labor.
