ASIAN ICE HOCKEY

The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) has officially released its calendar of international events for the upcoming season, and China is set to take center stage. In a major vote of confidence, the country will host not one, but two top tournaments: the 2026 IIHF Asia Championship and the 2026 IIHF World Championship Division I Group B.

Beijing Welcomes Asia’s Best

The 2026 IIHF Asia Championship will take place from November 20 to 23, 2025 in Beijing (1), the iconic host city of the 2022 Winter Olympics.

Four teams will clash once again in a battle for Asian supremacy: Kazakhstan, Japan, South Korea, and host nation China. Kazakhstan will enter the tournament as reigning champions, while China, who finished fourth last time out, will aim to climb higher on home ice.

And this time, the home crowd will finally be there in force – unlike at the COVID-restricted 2022 Olympics, when spectator numbers were capped at just 1,000 per game.

Shenzhen to Host Division 1B Worlds

Just a few months later, from April 29 to May 5, 2026, the spotlight shifts south to Shenzhen, where six nations will compete in the 2026 IIHF World Championship Division I Group B. The lineup features Romania, South Korea, Estonia, Spain, the Netherlands, and China. (2)

With promotion to Division 1A on the line, this tournament promises high-stakes drama – and another chance for China to prove it belongs among hockey’s rising powers.

Earning IIHF’s Trust – and Delivering

This double assignment from the IIHF is no coincidence. It’s a recognition of China’s growing reputation as a capable and committed tournament host.

The past year saw two major successes: the Asian Winter Games in Harbin (February 2025), where Chinese fans packed arenas and brought energy to every game, and the Women’s World Championship Division I Group A in Shenzhen (April 2025), executed with precision and praised by IIHF Council member Marta Zawadzka, who highlighted China’s organizational excellence in a post-event interview with Xinhua News Agency.

Three Tournaments, Three Hockey Hotbeds

In the span of just over a year, top-tier international hockey will have touched down in all three of China’s hockey hotbeds: the heritage stronghold of Harbin, the developing hub of Beijing, and the exploding market of Shenzhen. Each city represents a different facet of China’s hockey identity – and its future.

China’s National Team: Ready to Break Through?

For Team China, these tournaments are more than just home games – they’re milestones in a long-term journey of progress. Under coaches Spiros Anastas and later Perry Pearn, a younger, faster Chinese squad has twice finished fourth in Division 1B and matched that result in both the IIHF Asia Championship and Asian Winter Games. The performances have been strong – now it’s time to translate that into podium finishes.

Home ice, home fans, and high hopes. We’ll be watching!

Source, Quotes and Notes:

1. instagram.com/p/DKgCZegPUlx/?img_index=2
2. iihf.com/en/tournaments