The Format
Men's and Women's international ice hockey. 12 teams per division. 50 states. Every August. This is the USA Freedom Cup.
Men's Division
Twelve of the world's top men's national programs compete in the USA Freedom Cup across the group stage and knockout rounds. From Quarterfinals onward the Men's division plays Aug 16, 18, and 20 — with the Men's Championship Final closing out the entire tournament.
Women's Division
Twelve elite women's national programs compete in the USA Freedom Cup on the same group stage schedule, then lead the knockout alternation — playing Aug 15, 17, and 19 — with the Women's Championship Final the day before the Men's closing game.
How the Tournament Works
The USA Freedom Cup runs two concurrent divisions — Men's and Women's — each featuring 12 of the world's top international teams. Each team plays every second day through the group stage. From the Quarterfinals onward, the Men's and Women's divisions alternate days so every knockout game gets its own spotlight.
Group Stage
Aug 4 – Aug 14, 202812 teams split into 2 groups of 6. Each team plays a full round-robin — 5 games total — one game every second day over 10 days. Both USA Freedom Cup divisions play concurrently. Top 3 from each group advance to the Quarterfinals.
Quarterfinals
Aug 15 (Women's) · Aug 16 (Men's)6 teams advance per division — top 3 from each group. Group winners (seeds 1A & 1B) receive a bye to the Semifinals. Seeds 2A vs 3B and 2B vs 3A play off. Women's on Aug 15, Men's on Aug 16.
Semifinals
Aug 17 (Women's) · Aug 18 (Men's)The final four teams per division — two bye-holders and two quarterfinal winners — compete in two USA Freedom Cup semifinal matchups. Women's Semifinals on Aug 17, Men's Semifinals on Aug 18.
Women's Championship Final
Aug 19, 2028The USA Freedom Cup Women's Championship Final is held at a premier US arena — crowning the Women's champion and setting the stage for the Men's Final the following day.
Men's Championship Final
Aug 20, 2028The USA Freedom Cup Men's Championship Final closes out the entire tournament on Aug 20 — the last game of the USA Freedom Cup, crowning the Men's champion after 17 days of elite international hockey.
August 2028
The USA Freedom Cup runs August 4–20, 2028. Both divisions play concurrently through the group stage (Aug 4–14), then alternate days from the Quarterfinals onward — every knockout game gets its own day. Women's Final on Aug 19, Men's Final closes the tournament on Aug 20.
Group Stage
Both USA Freedom Cup divisions play concurrently — 5 round-robin games per team, one every second day across all 50 states. Top 3 from each group advance.
Women's Quarterfinals
Seeds 2A vs 3B and 2B vs 3A — two USA Freedom Cup knockout games. Group winners (1A & 1B) receive a bye to the Semifinals.
Men's Quarterfinals
Seeds 2A vs 3B and 2B vs 3A — two USA Freedom Cup knockout games. Group winners (1A & 1B) receive a bye to the Semifinals.
Women's Semifinals
The final four women's teams battle for a spot in the USA Freedom Cup Women's Championship Final.
Men's Semifinals
The final four men's teams battle for a spot in the USA Freedom Cup Men's Championship Final.
Women's Championship Final
The USA Freedom Cup Women's Championship Final — one game, one champion, setting the stage for the tournament's closing act the following day.
Men's Championship Final
The USA Freedom Cup Men's Championship Final closes out 17 days of elite international hockey — the last game of the tournament.
Every State Hosts a Game
Both the Men's and Women's divisions of the USA Freedom Cup play games in all 50 US states. No other international hockey tournament has brought elite competition to every corner of America.
Northeast
South
Midwest
West
Gulf, Plains & Pacific
IIHF Rules Apply
All USA Freedom Cup games are played under the full IIHF international rulebook — the same rules used at the World Championship and Olympic Games.
IIHF Rulebook
All USA Freedom Cup games are played under the full IIHF international rulebook — the same rules used at the World Championship and Olympic Games.
Overtime & Shootout
Group stage ties go to a 5-minute 3-on-3 OT, then shootout if needed. Knockout rounds use 20-minute 5-on-5 OT periods until a winner is decided — no shootout in elimination games.
Roster Eligibility
Each nation fields its full senior national team roster. Players must hold citizenship of the country they represent and meet IIHF eligibility requirements for the USA Freedom Cup.
Points System
Win = 3 pts · OT/SO Win = 2 pts · OT/SO Loss = 1 pt · Regulation Loss = 0 pts. Tiebreakers: head-to-head record, goal differential, goals scored, then IIHF ranking.
International Action
Men's & Women's Divisions
USA Freedom Cup features elite international competition across both divisions — browse action shots from each matchup.