Switzerland to host 2026 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship
Zurich and Fribourg selected as host cities
Tournament to return to Switzerland for first time since 2009
The 2026 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship will be held in Zurich and Fribourg, Switzerland, the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) announced today.
The tournament will mark the first time that Switzerland has hosted the World Championship since 2009, when it was held in Bern and Kloten.
"We are very excited to bring the World Championship back to Switzerland," said IIHF President Luc Tardif. "Switzerland is a passionate hockey country with a rich history in the sport. We know that the fans will create a great atmosphere and that the teams will enjoy playing in such a beautiful country."
The World Championship is one of the most prestigious events in international hockey. It is held annually and features the top 16 teams in the world.
Switzerland has a strong hockey tradition, having won the World Championship three times (1950, 1953, and 1971). The country is also home to some of the world's top hockey players, including Connor McDavid, Sidney Crosby, and Patrick Kane.
The 2026 World Championship will be held from May 8 to June 13. The tournament will be divided into two groups, with the top four teams from each group advancing to the quarterfinals.
Tickets for the 2026 World Championship will go on sale in the fall of 2023.
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