Russia to return to international hockey at 2027 Winter Universiade

Russian hockey teams, both men and women, will participate in the 2027 Winter Universiade in Changchun, China. Competing under a neutral status without national symbols, this marks the first major international tournament for Russian junior hockey players since 2021.

Russian Minister of Sport Mikhail Degtyarev stated that the International University Sports Federation (FISU) expanded access for Russian athletes this year, even in sports where other international federations maintain restrictions. This decision bypasses the long-standing suspensions imposed by the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), which continues to prohibit Russian teams from participating in its sanctioned tournaments.

Vladislav Tretiak, president of Russian hockey, described the inclusion as a step toward the long-term goal of returning all Russian hockey teams to the international stage. While Belarus has received some exceptions from the IIHF to compete in specific women's and youth championships, Russian teams remain largely excluded from major IIHF events.