Ice Hockey World Championship 2027: Dates, Venues and Tickets

The Ice Hockey World Championship 2027 takes place in Germany from 13 to 30 May 2027, with games in Düsseldorf and Mannheim and an opening game at the Veltins-Arena in Gelsenkirchen. Here is what is confirmed, the groups, the venues and how to prepare for ticket sales.

Ice Hockey World Championship 2027: Dates and Host

Germany hosts the men's World Championship from 13 to 30 May 2027. Sixteen teams compete in two groups, then the best sides move into the knockout rounds that end with the final on 30 May. The defending champion is Finland, which beat Switzerland 1-0 in overtime in the 2026 final in Switzerland.

Ice Hockey World Championship 2027 key dates

  • 13 May 2027: opening game, Germany against Switzerland, Veltins-Arena, Gelsenkirchen.
  • 13 to 30 May 2027: full tournament window.
  • 30 May 2027: final.

Not announced yet in our data: the daily schedule, the venue of the knockout games and the ticket sale dates. We update this page as soon as these are confirmed.

World Championship 2027 Venues: Düsseldorf, Mannheim and Gelsenkirchen

The tournament uses two hockey arenas and one football stadium for the opening. This gives fans a compact route through western Germany, as the cities are connected by high-speed and regional rail.

World Championship 2027 in Düsseldorf: PSD Bank Dome

The PSD Bank Dome in Düsseldorf has a capacity of around 14,300 and hosts Group B. It is also the venue for the NHL Global Series games on 18 and 20 December 2026, so it will already have been tested for a major ice hockey crowd.

World Championship 2027 in Mannheim: SAP Arena

The SAP Arena in Mannheim, with a capacity of around 13,600, hosts Group A. It is the home arena of Adler Mannheim in the DEL, one of the league's best-supported clubs, which means local knowledge of hockey is strong in the region.

World Championship 2027 opening game tickets: Gelsenkirchen

The opening game between Germany and Switzerland is on 13 May at the Veltins-Arena, a football stadium with a published record capacity above 61,000. The hockey configuration will differ, so the actual seat count will be announced later. Expect strong demand for this one game.

World Championship 2027 Groups: Who Plays Where

Sixteen national teams are divided into two groups of eight, as currently listed.

World Championship 2027 Group A in Mannheim

Switzerland, Finland, Sweden, Germany, Latvia, Austria, Slovenia and Ukraine. This group includes the host nation, the 2026 champion and the 2026 runner-up, which makes it a strong draw for neutral fans.

World Championship 2027 Group B in Düsseldorf

Canada, USA, Czechia, Slovakia, Denmark, Norway, Kazakhstan and Hungary. With Canada, the USA and Czechia in the same pool, this group is built for big names and large travelling support.

As always, final team rosters are published shortly before the tournament, and we do not list individual players. Group allocation can be adjusted by the organisers, so confirm before booking a trip for a particular match.

World Championship 2027 Tickets: How to Prepare

No ticket sale dates have been announced yet, so the best strategy is preparation. Think about what you want to see: a specific team, a group-stage weekend in one city, or the knockout games and the final on 30 May.

World Championship tickets: what usually happens

Large tournaments tend to offer packages or presales first, then individual game sales in phases. The most popular fixtures, such as the opening game, Germany's matches and the semi-finals and final, usually sell fastest. Always use the official box office and keep your account details ready before sales open.

Tickets from abroad for the World Championship

  • Check whether the box office accepts international cards.
  • Choose tickets that are delivered digitally or can be transferred to a named guest.
  • Leave time for entry checks, as arenas may require ID or ticket matching.
  • Use resale marketplaces only as a last option and read transfer rules.

Travel to the World Championship 2027 in Germany

Germany has an excellent rail network, which makes the World Championship easy to follow in more than one city. Düsseldorf and Mannheim are both on main lines, and there are many daily flights into the area from across Europe.

Where to stay for the World Championship 2027

Düsseldorf is a good base for group B games and for Gelsenkirchen, which is in the same wider Rhine-Ruhr region. Mannheim is close to Heidelberg and the Rhine-Neckar region and well connected to Frankfurt. Hotel prices rise when large events are in town, so book flexible rooms early.

World Championship 2027 dates: time and weather in May

May is mild in Germany, with long evenings. Check game times when published, because some matches may be played in the afternoon and others in the evening. From North America the time difference is six to nine hours depending on your region, so allow time to adjust.

World Championship 2027 Atmosphere and Fan Experience

The World Championship is known for lively crowds in national colours, chants for every team and a festive atmosphere in the host city. Germany is a deep hockey country with passionate club fan cultures, and the DEL arenas regularly create excellent atmospheres.

World Championship 2027 matchday tips

Arrive early to take part in fan zones if they are offered. Bring your ticket on your phone, carry photo ID and check the arena's rules on bags and flags. Many fans buy tickets for several days, mixing neutral games with their own team's fixtures.

After the 2027 World Championship: dates for 2028

The 2028 World Championship will be in France, in Paris and Lyon from 12 to 28 May 2028. If you enjoy the 2027 tournament, you can plan a second trip. See our page on the 2028 World Championship for information.

Ice Hockey World Championship 2027 Format and Knockout Rounds

The tournament follows the usual IIHF model: 16 teams are split into two groups of eight, each team plays the other seven, and the top teams from each group advance to the knockout phase, which leads to semi-finals and finals. The detailed schedule of the knockout games and their venues is not announced yet in our data, so we avoid giving times or locations beyond the confirmed ones.

World Championship 2027 schedule: what is confirmed

The opening day is 13 May and the final is on 30 May, which gives about two and a half weeks of hockey. Group games are played in Düsseldorf and Mannheim in parallel, so on most days there are games in both cities. That makes it possible to visit one group on one day and the other the next.

Choosing between group games and knockout tickets

Group games give you a chance to see a wide range of countries at a relaxed pace, often in arenas that are not full. Knockout games bring higher stakes and more demand. If your budget or leave is limited, consider a long weekend in the middle of the group stage, when the atmosphere is already lively and travel is easier than for the final days.

Ice Hockey World Championship 2027 Planning Checklist

A short checklist can save time once sales open. Decide your dates and group of interest. Confirm that you can travel without a visa, or arrange documents early if needed. Check that your passport is valid for the whole trip. Sign up for the alert so you are notified of presales and packages, and compare only official channels.

World Championship 2027 tickets and accommodation: timing

When the official sale begins, move quickly for the best-value categories and the most requested fixtures. Accommodation should be booked flexibly: keep a refundable room until your tickets are confirmed, then fix your travel plans. This reduces the risk if schedules or groups change.

FAQ · Ice Hockey World Championship 2027: Dates, Venues and Tickets

When is the Ice Hockey World Championship 2027?

The tournament runs from 13 to 30 May 2027 in Germany. The opening game is Germany against Switzerland on 13 May at the Veltins-Arena in Gelsenkirchen, and the final is on 30 May. The daily schedule has not been announced yet. Check again closer to the date for confirmed match times.

Where is the Ice Hockey World Championship 2027 played?

Games are played in Düsseldorf at the PSD Bank Dome and in Mannheim at the SAP Arena, with the opening game at the Veltins-Arena in Gelsenkirchen. Düsseldorf hosts Group B and Mannheim hosts Group A. The two hockey arenas are about two hours apart by train.

Which teams play in the Ice Hockey World Championship 2027?

There are 16 teams. Group A in Mannheim has Switzerland, Finland, Sweden, Germany, Latvia, Austria, Slovenia and Ukraine. Group B in Düsseldorf has Canada, USA, Czechia, Slovakia, Denmark, Norway, Kazakhstan and Hungary. Rosters and group allocations are confirmed only close to the event.

How do I buy Ice Hockey World Championship 2027 tickets?

Ticket sale dates are not announced yet. Use the official box office when sales open, and avoid unofficial sellers. Resale marketplaces may be an option for sold-out games, but check transfer rules first. Our email alert tells you when official sales start. We update this page the moment a sale date is published, so check back.

Who is the defending champion at the Ice Hockey World Championship 2027?

Finland is the defending champion. It beat Switzerland 1-0 in overtime in the 2026 final, in a tournament hosted by Switzerland. Norway took bronze. The 2027 edition in Germany starts with Finland in Group A in Mannheim. Expect the host nation and the other medal contenders to be strong again this year.

Where is the next event after the Ice Hockey World Championship 2027?

France hosts the 2028 edition from 12 to 28 May 2028, in Paris at the Accor Arena and in Lyon at the LDLC Arena. Ticketing information has not been announced yet. We will update our page when it is. Ticket details for that edition are not announced yet either.