Travelers are encouraged to arrive early for tournament games, consider all four of our region’s bridges when arranging their trip (Peace Bridge, Lewiston-Queenston Bridge, Rainbow Bridge and the NEXUS-only Whirlpool Bridge), and prepare for crossing the border by doing the following:

1. Enroll in E-ZPass to help significantly expedite your border crossing.
2. Obtain real-time border traffic information on tournament days and during the games, visit peacebridge.com, niagarafallsbridges.com, or NITTEC.org.
3. Prior to arriving at the United States border have proper identification ready to present to Customs officers. Such documents include: Enhanced Driver's licenses, Enhanced Non-Driver Identification, FAST Cards, NEXUS Cards, Permanent Resident Cards, Passports, and United States Passport Cards for travelers 16 years of age and older, and birth certificates, naturalization certificates, or Canadian citizenship cards which are acceptable forms of identification for most children 15 years of age and younger.
4. If traveling with children who are not part of your immediate family, obtain and carry a parental note of permission regarding cross-border travel. The note should include each child's parental contact information and telephone numbers.
5. "Clear the junk from your trunk!" Other than essential luggage, empty your trunk before the trip. Additional belongings in your car may add time to your crossing, as Customs officers may perform a visual inspection of the belongings in your car.
6. Turn off radios and cell phones when approaching Customs inspection booths and speaking with officers.
7. Remember to roll down the window, remove sunglasses, and make eye contact with Customs officers.
8. Be sure to declare all fruits, vegetables, plants and plant products, animals, birds, eggs, meat and meat products, as well as items acquired for personal use.
9. Avoid horseplay and do not fool around. Customs officers on both sides of the border are law enforcement officials who take their duties very seriously. Approach inspection booths slowly and follow signage instructions.
10. Be patient. Customs officers are responsible for protecting our nations' borders and public safety.
11. Do not drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Thirty-one games will be played as part of the eleven-day tournament, and one of the preliminary rounds will include a U.S. versus Canada game, held outdoors at New Era Field on Dec. 29, 2017.  Participating teams are expected to begin arriving in Buffalo Niagara Dec. 22-25, 2017 and will depart beginning Jan. 6, 2018. A complete schedule for the IIHF World Junior Championship tournament can be found here.

Providing travel tips for IIHF tournament attendees is part of ongoing coordination between agencies and organizations to collaborate in managing regional border traffic during the tournament, to help ensure safe and efficient for travelers. Participants in this collaborative effort include the Peace Bridge Authority, Niagara Falls Bridge Commission, Pegula Sports and Entertainment, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Canada Border Services Agency, Niagara International Transportation Technology Coalition, Ontario Motor Coach Association, Visit Buffalo Niagara and various U.S. and Canadian elected officials.

This is only the fifth World Junior Championship to be played in the United States – and the second time it has been played in Buffalo, NY. It also the first time that a U.S. city has hosted the World Junior Championship twice; the previous tournament in Buffalo Niagara was held in 2011. The IIHF World Junior Championship is one of the most highly anticipated annual international ice hockey events, and includes the best male players under the age of twenty, from ten nations around the world.

To learn more about the tournament, visit buffaloworldjuniors.com.

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December 26, 2017