WickFest 2026 Set to Make U.S. Debut in Las Vegas, Powered by the Golden Knights
Vegas is about to host more than just high-stakes hockey this February-it’s welcoming a movement. For the first time in its 16-year history, WickFest, the premier girls’ hockey festival founded by four-time Olympic gold medalist Hayley Wickenheiser, is coming to the United States. And fittingly, it’s landing in the desert hockey hotbed of Las Vegas, where the Golden Knights continue to make waves both on and off the ice.
From February 5 to 8, the city will transform into a celebration of girls' hockey, with 35 teams and over 600 young athletes descending on City National Arena, America First Center, and Hylo Park Arena. Players from across the U.S. and Canada-ranging in age from 10U to 16U-will compete in four games over the course of the event, but WickFest is about far more than just the scoreboard.
WickFest was born in 2010 out of a simple but powerful idea: bring girls together through hockey and help them grow-on the ice and off. What started as a grassroots effort has grown into one of the sport’s most respected festivals, drawing thousands annually. And now, with the backing of the NHL, NHLPA, and a franchise that’s been a catalyst for hockey growth in the region, it’s poised to reach new heights in Las Vegas.
Let’s talk about that growth for a second. Since the Golden Knights entered the league in 2017, female participation in hockey in Nevada has skyrocketed by 600%, according to USA Hockey.
That’s not a typo. It’s a testament to what happens when a franchise invests in the grassroots-and when young players can see themselves in the game.
WickFest is taking that investment to the next level. In addition to tournament play, the event will feature clinics, workshops, and Q&A sessions designed to build skills and confidence. And the lineup of mentors is as star-studded as it gets.
Olympians like Meghan Agosta, Jillian Dempsey, Amanda Pelkey, Haley Skarupa, and of course Wickenheiser herself, will be on hand. You’ll also see trailblazers like Angela James, Oksana Baiul, and Kendra Fisher-women who’ve helped shape the game and are now helping shape its future.
Here’s how the four-day festival breaks down:
WickFest 2026 - Las Vegas Schedule
Friday, Feb. 6
- Tournament play begins
- Clinics and workshops kick off
- Autograph session at City National Arena - 10:45 a.m. PT
Saturday, Feb. 7
- Girls NHL Learn to Play session at City National Arena - 9:20 a.m. PT
- Clinics and workshops wrap up
Sunday, Feb. 8
- Tournament play concludes
The timing couldn’t be better. With the NHL continuing to push for diversity and inclusion, and with teams like the Golden Knights leading the charge locally, WickFest’s U.S. debut feels more like a launchpad than a landing.
This isn’t just a tournament-it’s a statement. A celebration of where girls’ hockey is, and where it’s going. And if Vegas has anything to say about it, the future is looking bright-and fast.