2023 IIHF Ice Hockey Women's World Championship Division IA postponed

The 2023 IIHF Ice Hockey Women's World Championship Division I Group A, which was due to be held in Shenzhen, China, has been postponed. The IIHF's decision to postpone the championship was primarily based on the international travel restrictions and testing requirements that the participating teams would face due to the ongoing complications related to COVID-19.

04 March 20231 min read

The World Championship was originally scheduled to take place from 11 to 17 April 2023. Work is already under way on a new date, which will be announced at a later stage.

"The International Ice Hockey Federation fully stands behind the agreement with the Chinese Ice Hockey Association and is only postponing the tournament to ensure that it begins in a positive manner," explains IIHF President Luc Tardif.

Six nations will take part in the Women's Division IA tournament in Shenzhen: Denmark, Norway, Slovakia, Austria, hosts China and the Netherlands will compete for promotion to the top division.

The hosts were promoted to Division I Group A last year in Katowice (Poland) after winning all five games at the 2022 IIHF Ice Hockey Women's World Championship Division I Group B. This year's tournament will mark China's first appearance in Division I Group A since 2011.

The postponement of the tournament in Shenzhen gives everyone involved more time to prepare, thereby ensuring the safety and health of all participants.

Martin Kogler, General Manager Women's: "This postponement had been on the cards. We are pleased that there is now clarity, even though this postponement presents us with new challenges. The World Championship is expected to be made up at the end of the summer. While the players will not be tired from the season at that point, they will need intensive preparation to get into match shape. For the spring, we will aim to arrange an end-of-season event, including friendly internationals."

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