This week, the IIHF Council members gathered in Nice with their member national associations to discuss the future of hockey.
photo: © International Ice Hockey Federation
More meaningful international action, sustainability prize for Denmark
The 2025 IIHF Semi-Annual Congress in Nice, France, produced two days of lively discussion. Ensuring more meaningful games for international teams was a hot topic, alongside allocating some upcoming tournaments and celebrating the rise of sustainability in the sport.
Delegates also voted on a range of amendments to the IIHF’s Event Codes, Integrity Code, Disciplinary Regulations and Transfer Regulations, as well as hearing updates on preparations for the 2026 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship in Switzerland, and progress reports for the upcoming Olympic Winter Games in Milano Cortina 2026 and French Alps 2030.
New 6-team format
Changes to the established six-team round robin tournament format could be introduced for the 2026/27 season, with a view to eradicating dead rubbers and maximizing competition and excitement as the event progresses.
“We want to have a format where the last games have meaning,” said IIHF President Luc Tardif. “We want to see teams on the last day playing for promotion, playing for a bronze medal, or playing to escape relegation.”
A presentation of the proposed new competition schedule, which would affect most IIHF tournaments from Division IA and below, showed teams split into two groups of three. They would then play three days of group games, with countries in Group A facing their rivals in Group B. The top two teams in each group would progress to semi-finals and the medal games, while the third-placed teams would face a two-game relegation series.
The tournament would still be played over seven days, and there would still be 15 games in total with every competing time getting five games as before. Tournaments scheduled for the current 2025/26 season will not use this proposed new format.
New Euro Tournament starts this season
The coming season sees the launch of a new European Cup of Nation for senior men’s teams. The tournament will play during the traditional international breaks in November, December and February, with 18 nations contesting three or four-team competitions across the continent in those windows.
The participating countries include recent Olympic and World Championship medalists such as Germany, Slovakia and Latvia and reaches down to Division IB nations. The new tournament fulfils the Ice 26 plan to generate more meaningful international action each season. Read more about the European Cup of Nations, see here.
The 2025 IIHF Semi-Annual Congress in Nice, France, produced two days of lively discussion. Ensuring more meaningful games for international teams was a hot topic, alongside allocating some upcoming tournaments and celebrating the rise of sustainability in the sport.
Delegates also voted on a range of amendments to the IIHF’s Event Codes, Integrity Code, Disciplinary Regulations and Transfer Regulations, as well as hearing updates on preparations for the 2026 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship in Switzerland, and progress reports for the upcoming Olympic Winter Games in Milano Cortina 2026 and French Alps 2030.
New 6-team format
Changes to the established six-team round robin tournament format could be introduced for the 2026/27 season, with a view to eradicating dead rubbers and maximizing competition and excitement as the event progresses.
“We want to have a format where the last games have meaning,” said IIHF President Luc Tardif. “We want to see teams on the last day playing for promotion, playing for a bronze medal, or playing to escape relegation.”
A presentation of the proposed new competition schedule, which would affect most IIHF tournaments from Division IA and below, showed teams split into two groups of three. They would then play three days of group games, with countries in Group A facing their rivals in Group B. The top two teams in each group would progress to semi-finals and the medal games, while the third-placed teams would face a two-game relegation series.
The tournament would still be played over seven days, and there would still be 15 games in total with every competing time getting five games as before. Tournaments scheduled for the current 2025/26 season will not use this proposed new format.
New Euro Tournament starts this season
The coming season sees the launch of a new European Cup of Nation for senior men’s teams. The tournament will play during the traditional international breaks in November, December and February, with 18 nations contesting three or four-team competitions across the continent in those windows.
The participating countries include recent Olympic and World Championship medalists such as Germany, Slovakia and Latvia and reaches down to Division IB nations. The new tournament fulfils the Ice 26 plan to generate more meaningful international action each season. Read more about the European Cup of Nations, see here.
Denmark wins Sustainability Award
The organizing committee for the 2025 IIHF World Championship in Herning won this year’s Sustainability Award. The Danes were praised for a combination of environmental action, social inclusion and legacy planning.“This tournament shows that hockey can be sustainable,” said Beate Grupp, who chairs the IIHF’s Sustainability Committee.
The event in Herning managed a record 65% recycling rate and also delivered extensive social and educational programs.
Czechia took second place for its work in organizing the 2025 Women’s World Championship in Ceske Budejovice. The Czechs were praised for consciously building on the legacy of the 2024 IIHF World Championship and sharing expertise from that event to show how sustainability can translate into strong spectator and participant experiences as well as long-term economic success.
The Sustainability Award winners took to the stage to celebrate with the attendees.
photo: © International Ice Hockey Federation
This was the first year that the competition was open to countries that did not host a tournament. That enabled Portugal to claim third place for its work on developing a sustainable venue at the Serra da Estrela arena.
There were 11 applications in total this year, including the first ever entry from an Asian nation – Hong Kong – and two submissions from Denmark, one as a tournament host and another as a member association. The full entry list included Bulgaria, Canada, Czechia, Denmark (x2), Hong Kong, Hungary, Mexico, Poland, Portugal and Sweden.
Remaining Hosts Confirmed
The Men’s World Championship Division IV will take place in Kuwait. The six-team tournament is scheduled for April 12-18 in Kuwait City. Singapore, Armenia, Kuwait, Indonesia, Iran and Malaysia are the competing teams.
Women’s U18 Division IA will be played in Callalbo, Italy, from Jan. 12-18, 2026. Japan, Italy, Germany, Norway, France and Denmark will take part. And Division II is going to Cape Town, South Africa from Jan. 26 to Feb. 1. Chinese Taipei, Iceland, Belgium, Mexico, South Africa and Romania will play in this event.
Full Membership for Armenia, Uzbekistan
The IIHF’s Semi-Annual Congress voted to elevate Armenia and Uzbekistan to full member status. Uzbekistan played its first IIHF World Championship event last season, winning Division IV. Armenia, back in competitive action for the first time since 2010, hosted that tournament in Yerevan and won silver.
New logo
The 2025 Semi-Annual Congress also saw the unveiling of a new IIHF branding. Developed by London-based creative agency TwelfthMan, it updates the familiar IIHF logo in a dynamic, contemporary style. The new branding also includes a bespoke font for IIHF communications and an updated visual identity and colour scheme. Read more about the IIHF’s new look here.
There were 11 applications in total this year, including the first ever entry from an Asian nation – Hong Kong – and two submissions from Denmark, one as a tournament host and another as a member association. The full entry list included Bulgaria, Canada, Czechia, Denmark (x2), Hong Kong, Hungary, Mexico, Poland, Portugal and Sweden.
Remaining Hosts Confirmed
The Men’s World Championship Division IV will take place in Kuwait. The six-team tournament is scheduled for April 12-18 in Kuwait City. Singapore, Armenia, Kuwait, Indonesia, Iran and Malaysia are the competing teams.
Women’s U18 Division IA will be played in Callalbo, Italy, from Jan. 12-18, 2026. Japan, Italy, Germany, Norway, France and Denmark will take part. And Division II is going to Cape Town, South Africa from Jan. 26 to Feb. 1. Chinese Taipei, Iceland, Belgium, Mexico, South Africa and Romania will play in this event.
Full Membership for Armenia, Uzbekistan
The IIHF’s Semi-Annual Congress voted to elevate Armenia and Uzbekistan to full member status. Uzbekistan played its first IIHF World Championship event last season, winning Division IV. Armenia, back in competitive action for the first time since 2010, hosted that tournament in Yerevan and won silver.
New logo
The 2025 Semi-Annual Congress also saw the unveiling of a new IIHF branding. Developed by London-based creative agency TwelfthMan, it updates the familiar IIHF logo in a dynamic, contemporary style. The new branding also includes a bespoke font for IIHF communications and an updated visual identity and colour scheme. Read more about the IIHF’s new look here.
During this year's SAC, the IIHF unveiled its brand-new logo - a modern, dynamic update of the familiar emblem.
photo: © International Ice Hockey Federation