Six European nations will boycott matches against Russia at the 2027 Ice Hockey World Championship despite a Court of Arbitration for Sport ruling reinstating Russian teams.
Federations from Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Czechia and Latvia announced the boycott on Tuesday, citing the war in Ukraine and security concerns. The CAS ruled on Oct. 30 that the International Ice Hockey Federation must allow Russian teams to return to international tournaments, overturning the exclusion imposed after Moscow's 2022 invasion. The 2027 championship is scheduled for May 13-30 in Duesseldorf, Gelsenkirchen and Mannheim, Germany.
The six federations said their teams would still play all other matches at the tournament but would refuse to face Russia. "For the sake of the integrity of ice hockey, we cannot see ourselves playing against Russia as things stand," Danish Ice Hockey Union chairman Henrik Bach Nielsen said. Norway's federation said its decision was based on its responsibility to protect the safety and wellbeing of players, team staff and their families.
Swedish Ice Hockey Association chairman Anders Larsson said it was unthinkable for Russia to participate in international hockey as long as the war in Ukraine continues. Latvia said its national teams would not play against Russia or Belarus while the war continues. The Czech Ice Hockey Association said it was joining the stance of other European federations.
Commercial partners have also withdrawn support. Swedish furniture firm AJ Products, which had sponsored the men's World Championship since 1989, announced it would end its partnership. Finnish company Nokian Tyres said it would withdraw sponsorship of the 2027 championship if Russia is permitted to compete. The Finnish city of Turku said it would relinquish hosting duties for the 2028 World Junior Championship if Russia participates.
The IIHF criticized the CAS ruling but said it intended to comply. The German Ice Hockey Federation said allowing Russia to participate would have significant consequences in terms of security, politically and economically for the hosts.
