Austria awarded hosting rights for the 2024 Women’s World Cham­pi­onship Divi­sion IA

“It has always been, and remains, our stated goal to host IIHF World Championships on a regular basis. We are delighted that we have succeeded in bringing the Women’s World Championship to Austria. We want to use it to provide additional impetus for women’s ice hockey in Austria,” said Yasmin Stepina, ÖEHV Vice-President for Women, Para Sport and Sports Medicine.

At the 2023 World Championship in Shenzhen (CHN), which was moved from April to August due to the travel restrictions and testing requirements related to COVID19 that were still in place in spring, the hosts claimed the title and were promoted to the Top Division alongside Denmark. Austria finished narrowly behind them in 3rd place.

Originally, the World Championship Division IA was also to have taken place in the Land of the Rising Sun next year and again in 2025. The promotion of the Chinese team made it necessary to reallocate the tournament for 2024. The ÖEHV did not hesitate for a second to bid for the event. The bid was ultimately awarded at the IIHF Congress currently taking place in Portugal.

“Hosting the World Championship Division IA reflects the development of women’s ice hockey in Austria, which is enjoying growing popularity, not least thanks to partnerships between women’s clubs and teams from the win2day ICE Hockey League, as well as the increasing attention it is receiving both in Austria and internationally. The collaboration with ÖEHV main sponsor win2day provides the foundation for positive joint development in all areas of Austrian ice hockey,” explained ÖEHV President Klaus Hartmann.

The World Championship will take place from 21st to 27th April 2024. The venue has yet to be confirmed. Details of the venue, as well as the schedule and all further information on tickets, media accreditation, etc., will follow in the coming weeks.