Switzerland to Host 2026 Men's World Hockey Championship

After losing the 2020 men's World Hockey Championship due to COVID-19, Switzerland will now play host to the 2026 event.

After losing the 2020 men's World Hockey Championship due to COVID-19, Switzerland will now play host to the 2026 event.

The IIHF approved Zurich and Fribourg as hosts of the tournament, set to take place from May 15-31, 2026. Kazakhstan was the only other team that had looked to make a bid, but withdrew it earlier in the month. 

The games in Zurich will take place in the brand new Swiss Life Arena, an 11,200-capacity building that's set to open later this season. Fribourg will operate in the BCF Arena, a 7,100-seat building that is often one of the more popular ones in the top Switzerland pro league.

Switzerland will also host the 2023 men's U-18 World Championship, with a final decision on the host cities to be determined in the coming weeks.