Women's hockey could see a second sport at the 2030 Olympics as the IIHF plans to advocate for the inclusion of 3x3 hockey as an Olympic sport for 2030.
Women's hockey could see a second sport at the 2030 Olympics as the IIHF plans to advocate for the inclusion of 3x3 hockey as an Olympic sport for 2030.
If the IIHF has their way, there will be a new hockey tournament joining the 2030 Olympics, as the international body wants 3-on-3 hockey at the Olympic Games.
At the recent semi-annual congress in Greece, IIHF president Luc Tardiff spoke of other sports who have found success at the Olympics playing with reduced numbers, whether it's 3x3 basketball, beach volleyball, or rugby 7s.
“The boost that 3x3 basketball, rugby sevens or beach volleyball had on the original discipline was something that they never expected. It had a huge impact on recruitment and financial opportunity,” Tardif said. “There is an open door for hockey. This is our time.”
3x3 hockey has been played at the past two Youth Olympic Games in Lausanne 2020 and Gangneung 2024.
The IIHF is planning to present their application for the addition of 3x3 hockey in January 2025, with a pending decision for March 2025.
In women's hockey, the addition of 3x3 hockey could allow smaller nations with high end talent in smaller numbers to field competitive teams. It would also open the door for additional Canadian and American stars to perform internationally.
At the 2024 Youth Olympics Australia, China, Hungary, Italy, Korea, Netherlands, Mexico and Turkey competed.