TORONTO -- The National Hockey League (NHL®) and the National Hockey League Players' Association (NHLPA) announced the schedule for the 2016 World Cup of Hockey . From Sept. 17 to Oct. 1, 2016, eight teams - Team Canada, Team Czech Republic, Team Finland, Team Russia, Team Sweden, Team USA, Team Europe and Team North America - will compete in a best-on-best international hockey championship.

The two-week tournament, featuring more than 150 of the best players in the NHL, will progress from the Preliminary Round to the Semifinals and ultimately the Final. All tournament games will be played at Air Canada Centre in Toronto, home of the NHL's Toronto Maple Leafs®. Click here to sign up for ticket information, announcements and special offers.

The eight teams are split into two Groups, Group A and Group B, for the Preliminary Round.

The top two finishers in Group A and Group B will advance to the Semifinals (Saturday and Sunday), where the first-place team from each Group will face an elimination game against the second-place team from the other Group. The two Semifinal winners will meet in the Final, a best-of-3 series on Sept. 27, Sept. 29 and, if necessary, Oct. 1.

Group A

Team Canada wins Group A. Team Europe finishes second.

Group B

Team Sweden wins Group B. Team Russia finishes second.

2016 World Cup of Hockey Schedule

Preliminary Round (round robin)

All games at Air Canada Centre, Toronto; all times ET

Sept. 17

Team Europe 3, Team USA 0

Team Canada 6, Team Czech Republic 0

Sept. 18

Team Sweden 2, Team Russia, 1

Team North America 4, Team Finland, 1

Sept. 19

Team Europe 3, Team Czech Republic 2 (OT)

Team Russia 4, Team North America 3

Sept. 20

Team Sweden 2, Team Finland 0

Team Canada 4, Team USA 2

Wednesday

Team North America 4, Tean Sweden 3 (OT)

Team Canada 4, Team Europe 1

Thursday

Team Russia 3, Team Finland 0

Team Czech Republic 4, Team USA 3

Saturday

Team Canada 5, Team Russia 3

Sunday

Team Europe 3, Team Sweden 2 (OT)

Final (best-of-3)

Team Europe vs. Team Canada

Tuesday, Game 1

Canada 3, Team Europe 1

Thursday

Final Game 2, 8 p.m., ESPN2, CBC, TVA, TVA Sports

Saturday

Final Game 3, 7 p.m. (if necessary), ESPN2, CBC, TVA, TVA Sports