The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) will host the 2026 World Championship from May 15 through May 31, bringing together the sport’s elite on a global stage.
The United States enters as the reigning champion, but the field is stacked with traditional powerhouses such as Canada, Switzerland, Finland and a resurging Czechia, each boasting a blend of veteran leadership and emerging talent.
Canada’s roster will be anchored by forward Macklin Celebrini, while veteran star Sidney Crosby has been summoned to add his experience to the lineup. Switzerland, after parting ways with longtime coach Patrick Fischer, will rely on a refreshed coaching staff, and Finland will count on forward Anton Lundell to drive its offense.
How to watch the action
In Austria, select games will be streamed for free on ORF On, while fans in the United States can tune into the NHL Network through services like Sling TV. Viewers outside the designated regions often turn to VPN providers such as NordVPN to access the live feed from abroad.
The tournament format begins with a round‑robin group stage, after which the top eight teams advance to the knockout playoffs, with the championship final scheduled for May 31. The schedule features daily matchups, culminating in a high‑stakes gold‑medal game that will determine the next holder of the coveted trophy.
Beyond the 2026 edition, the IIHF’s historical ledger shows the United States leading the all‑time gold‑medal count with 28 titles, followed by the Soviet Union/Russia with 27 and Czechoslovakia/Czechia with 13. Sweden rounds out the top three with 11 championships, underscoring the competitive depth of international ice hockey.