Germany considers returning 2027 Ice Hockey World Championship

The German Ice Hockey Federation (DEB) is considering returning the hosting rights for the 2027 Men’s Ice Hockey World Championship following a ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). The CAS decision mandates the immediate reinstatement of Russian national teams to international competitions, reversing the ban imposed by the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) in 2022 following the invasion of Ukraine.

DEB Chairman Frank H. Lutz stated that the decision presents significant economic and security challenges. Lutz noted that the inclusion of Russia would lead to substantial additional costs, particularly regarding security measures, which could create an unsustainable financial risk for the organizers. He also highlighted potential political complications, such as whether Russian athletes would be granted visas to enter Germany.

The IIHF, which is the official organizer of the tournament, expressed disappointment with the CAS ruling but confirmed it would respect and implement the decision. The federation is scheduled to meet to discuss the next steps and the impact on upcoming events, including the U20 World Championship in Canada. While ticket sales for the 2027 tournament have already begun, the uncertainty regarding the participant list and schedule remains high.