2027 IIHF World Championship Host Cities Announced
Ukraine's national hockey teams now know where they will compete at the 2027 World Championships. For the first time in 20 years, the men's squad will play in the elite division—a major milestone for Ukrainian hockey as the team reclaims its place at the highest level of international competition.
The 2027 World Championship is scheduled for May 14–30 in Germany. Group-stage matches will be held in Düsseldorf and Mannheim. Ukraine’s men’s team has been placed in Group A, where they will face the following opponents:
- Switzerland
- Finland
- Sweden
- Slovakia
- Latvia
- Austria
- Slovenia
Group B will consist of:
- Canada
- USA
- Czechia
- Germany
- Denmark
- Norway
- Hungary
- Kazakhstan
In addition to the men’s team, Ukraine’s women’s and junior teams will also compete in 2027. The women’s squad will play in the Division IIB World Championship in Elektrenai, Lithuania, from November 8–14. Ukraine’s junior team will participate in Division IA in Budapest, Hungary, from December 6–12. The under-18 team is set to compete in Bled, Slovenia, from April 18–24.
Notably, Ukraine’s men’s team secured promotion by winning their final game in the 2026 Division IA World Championship against Japan.
For Ukraine to return to the elite division, Lithuania had to avoid a regulation loss against Poland. The Lithuania-Poland match ended 1–1 in regulation, and Lithuania went on to win 2–1 in overtime—a result that also reshuffled divisional rankings.
All signs point to 2027 being a landmark year for Ukrainian hockey, with teams set to compete internationally across multiple categories. The men’s return to the top flight, combined with women’s and junior participation, signals a rising level of hockey skill in Ukraine and growing interest in the sport among younger generations.
The upcoming 2027 World Championship represents a pivotal moment for Ukrainian hockey, particularly following the recent developments in the sport. As the elite division approaches, it’s essential to understand the broader context of international competitions, such as how all playoff spots were finalized for the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championship. This sets the stage for increased competition and showcases the evolving dynamics of the sport on a global scale.