Germany opposes hosting the 2027 Ice Hockey World Championship with Russia.
One week after the Court of Arbitration for Sport ordered the immediate reinstatement of Russian teams, the German government announced that the tournament must proceed as planned in Düsseldorf and Mannheim without Russia, RTS reported.
“Our goal must be to carry out the tournaments as planned,” government spokesperson Stefan Kornelius told RTS. “Except that is not possible due to the boycotts of numerous countries in the event of Russia’s admission. That is why we now really want to explore possibilities through dialogue to enable the tournament to take place.”
Discussions involve the German Ice Hockey Federation, the International Ice Hockey Federation, and the German Olympic Sports Confederation, according to SwissHabs. Officials concluded that Russian participation makes holding the event both sportingly and economically impossible.
Boycotts and Sponsor Pressure Drive Berlin's Firm Stance
Threats of boycotts from rival nations and warnings from major sponsors prompted Berlin’s firm stance, SwissHabs reported. The Court of Arbitration for Sport overturned the suspension that the International Ice Hockey Federation imposed following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, according to blue News.
The German Ice Hockey Federation subsequently raised the possibility of relinquishing its hosting rights entirely. Meanwhile, the Finnish Ice Hockey Association announced it would use every possible tool to block the reinstatement, aiming to form a united front of nations refusing to play against Russia.
“We will not play against Russia as long as the war of aggression against Ukraine continues,” said Heikki Hietanen, president of the Finnish Ice Hockey Association, as cited by blue News.
The Finnish city of Turku stated it would withdraw from hosting the 2028 World Junior Championship if Russia participates, according to Mayor Piia Elo.
Global Discrepancies Over Russian Competitors
While international federations debate youth and national team tournaments, National Hockey League teams in North America continue to employ dozens of Russian players, watson reported. Russian stars live and work in Canada without restriction, yet junior national teams face strict entry barriers.
“If you ask specifically for the U20 World Championship: the Russians will not participate,” Prime Minister Mark Carney said.
Russian Sports Minister Mikhail Degtiarev said that the world junior tournament in Edmonton, Canada, scheduled from Dec. 26, 2026, to Jan. 5, 2027, will mark the return of Russian hockey players, blue News reported. The men’s senior world championship is slated for May 2027 in Germany, followed by the women’s tournament in November 2027 in Canada.
Next Steps in the Dispute
Swiss Ice Hockey delayed its decision regarding the reinstatement of Russian squads, according to RTS. Dialogue between governments, national federations, and international sports authorities continues ahead of the winter tournament schedule.
Worth a look
