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2020 CARHA Hockey World Cup coming to Richmond

World's largest international adult recreational hockey tournament held every four years
hockey
It was a big win for the City of Richmond Monday when CARHA officials announced the 2020 World Cup would be coming here. The week-long tournament will feature an estimated 5,000 players from 15 countries.

The world’s largest international adult recreational hockey tournament is coming to Richmond.
A rigorous selection process that began over two years ago concluded Monday with Richmond being announced as the host city for the 2020 Canadian Adult Recreational Hockey Association (CARHA) Hockey World Cup.
Organized every four years in a selected Canadian city, the week-long event is considered the “Olympics” of recreational hockey and typically attracts nearly 5,000 players from Canada, United States and Europe.
Men’s and women’s teams will compete in a variety of age divisions, ranging from 19-and-over to 70-plus. Although the dates have yet to be finalized, the tournament is expected to take place in March or April, 2020.
“The City of Richmond is thrilled and excited to be named the host for the 2020 CARHA Hockey World Cup,” said Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie. "With over 120 teams from 15 countries expected to take part, the CARHA Hockey World Cup is going to be a very exciting event for our community and a huge boost for tourism. What better place to host the ‘Olympics’ of recreational hockey than a 2010 Olympic Venue City."
Brodie praised the efforts of the bid committee that was led by Richmond Sport Hosting and the Richmond Olympic Oval. The support trickled down to the city’s three minor hockey associations and even the Vancouver Canucks. Former Canuck goaltender Kirk McLean was on hand when CARHA officials visited Richmond last month as part of the selection procedure that included official tours of the three finalist cities. Quebec City and Regina were also in contention.
The Oval’s legacy as an Olympic long track speed skating venue transformed into world class multi-purpose facility, that out-of-town athletes can experience, is a considerable attraction Richmond has to host high-profile events. The Oval’s two ice rinks will be utilized for the World Cup.
“The ambience and the reputation of the Oval is hard to replicate,” agreed Brodie. Having the opportunity to compete in a venue from the 2010 Olympics is certainly to our advantage.”
The tournament will provide a substantial economic benefit. The 2016 World Cup in Windsor generated an estimated $10.1 million towards the local economy.
Participants will fill more than 800 hotel rooms per night and will play more than 250 games in the community throughout the week. In addition, local restaurants, pubs, shops and malls can expect positive spinoff with an influx of out of town traffic during the event.
The Richmond Ice Centre and Minoru Arenas will also be utilized throughout the seven days of the event.
“We are thrilled to be bringing the CARHA Hockey World Cup back to the West Coast after 20 years and to be showcasing this part of Canada to all of our participants” said Lucy Peeling, Coordinator, CARHA Hockey World Cup. “The City of Richmond will provide a unique experience to our participants from a facility and tourism perspective and we are looking forward to working together to create another memorable event in 2020.”
The 2000 CARHA World Cup took place in Vancouver. Other host cities since its inception include: Toronto (1996), Ottawa (2004), Quebec City (2008) and Sault Ste. Marie (2012).