Free Kid-Focused Party Celebrates Upcoming World Junior Championship
with Sports, Music and Summer Fun
MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota – Get ready, Northside! Minnesota Sports and Events is throwing a summer bash like no other. The Northside Jamboree: Hockey, Hoops & H2O is coming to the V3 Center in Minneapolis on Saturday, July 26, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. — and it’s all free!
Part of the Assist26 Legacy Program, the jamboree is a high-energy, all-ages celebration that brings together street hockey with the Minnesota Wild, hoops with the North High Polars’ Girls Basketball Team, and a chance to cool off in the V3 pool. Add dancing, DJs, mural painting, mascots, special guest athletes, and giveaways — and you’ve got yourself a jam-packed day of fun.
“This is what it’s all about — building community and creating opportunities through sport while getting everyone hyped for the iconic World Junior Championship coming to town this winter,” said Wendy Williams Blackshaw, president and CEO of Minnesota Sports and Events, the state’s sports commission and tournament host in partnership with USA Hockey.
What to Expect:
- Street hockey, basketball clinics, and open swim (bring your suit!) with water safety programming
- Hip-hop dance class from V3 Fitness
- Double-Dutch demos, live mural painting, and mascot mayhem
- Food trucks, prize giveaways, and chances to win World Juniors tickets
- Live music from a killer DJ lineup: Bdot (voice of the Minnesota Lynx), DJ McShellen, Miss Brit, and Shannon Blowtorch
- Athlete appearances and interviews hosted by Henry Lake of WCCO Radio
The Northside Jamboree is part of the lead-up to the 2026 International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship coming to Saint Paul and Minneapolis this December. It’s all about making sports more accessible, sparking curiosity in new activities, and sharing the excitement of one of hockey’s biggest international tournaments.
EVENT DETAILS 
Saturday, July 26

11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
V3 Center – 701 Plymouth Ave. North, Minneapolis, MN 55411

FREE and open to the public

Hosted by
Henry Lake, WCCO Radio
The event is part of the Assist26 Legacy Program, Minnesota Sports and Events’ statewide initiative to grow the game, expand access to hockey, and build excitement for the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship coming to Minnesota this winter, all while leaving a lasting impact on local communities. For more information about the Northside Jamboree or the Assist26 Legacy Program, visit WorldJuniorsMN26.com/Assist26.
Concurrently, USA Hockey will host the World Junior Summer Showcase at Ridder Arena in Minneapolis from July 25-Aug. 2. The event, which also includes Canada, Finland and Sweden, serves as an evaluation for athletes seeking to make their respective national teams for the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship. All total, 11 international games will be played and tickets are now on sale by clicking here.
About Minnesota Sports and Events
Minnesota Sports and Events works to attract, promote, and host major sporting events that showcase Minnesota’s communities and create positive economic and social impact throughout the state. The organization is committed to leveraging sport as a catalyst for community development and connection.
About the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship
The IIHF World Junior Championship showcases the best men’s ice hockey players in the world under 20 years of age competing for the gold medal. The tournament, which features the future stars of the National Hockey League, will be held from Dec. 26, 2025 – Jan. 5, 2026, at Saint Paul’s Xcel Energy Center, soon to be known as Grand Casino Arena, home of the NHL’s Minnesota Wild and PWHL’s Minnesota Frost, and 3M Arena at Mariucci on the University of Minnesota campus in Minneapolis. In the lead up to the tournament Bemidji, Duluth, Mankato, and Rochester will host exhibition games called the World Juniors Pre-Tournament Series presented by Delta Dental of Minnesota. The exhibition game schedule, ticket information, and related events will be announced in the coming months.
Minnesota Sports and Events is proud to partner with USA Hockey to host the 50th edition of World Juniors in Minnesota along with local organizing committee partners at the Minnesota Wild, Xcel Energy Center, University of Minnesota, Visit Saint Paul, Meet Minneapolis and Mall of America.