Denmark Continuing To Gear Up For 2026 Women's World Championships

Denmark continues to gear up to host the women's World Championships for the second time in recent years this November. 

After hosting in 2022, the best women's hockey nations in the world return to Denmark from November 6 to 16 in Herning and Esbjerg.

"We have been working towards this day for a long time, and now we can really feel it getting closer. Herning and Esbjerg are facing some unforgettable days of world-class ice hockey, and I am really looking forward to getting the tournament started," said Frank Hyldgaard, tournament director in a translated statement.

The tournament will feature Canada, USA, Czechia, Finland, Sweden, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Japan, and Denmark. 

Denmark is returning to the top division for the first time since they hosted in 2022. In June, the nation saw their first ever player, netminder Emma-Sofie Nordstrom, selected in the 2026 PWHL Draft, taken in the fifth round by Hamilton. The nation remains led by veterans like Nicoline Söndergaard Jensen, but also have up and coming stars such as Nikita Bergmann waiting to make their mark. The tournament marks another success in Denmark's efforts to build their women's hockey programs, and sport in the nation.

“When international federations return to Denmark, it is a sign that Denmark has created a solid foundation and strong ties to host international sports events in close collaboration with event partners,” says Lars Lundov, director of Sport Event Denmark.

In Esbjerg, organizers are excited to welcome the 2026 Olympic gold medalists, Team USA, as part of Group A.

"It means a lot to Esbjerg that we are co-hosting a World Championship of this size. It shows that we have the facilities, experience and strong local forces needed to lift major international sports events. At the same time, we get a unique opportunity to showcase Esbjerg to guests and TV viewers from all over the world," said Esbjerg Mayor Jesper Frost Rasmussen.

"We can welcome the reigning Olympic champions from the United States and some of the world's best ice hockey players, and the championship will be felt far beyond the ice, as players, coaches, staff, families and fans fill the city with life and an international atmosphere."

Team Denmark is in Group B alongside Canada, Sweden, Finland, and Japan playing in Herning for their round robin games.

This is the first time the women's World Championships will be played in November, and also the first time in more than a decade that the IIHF has abandoned tiered groupings and instead made a balanced field across both Groups.