Battle, scrap and fight – Austria’s motto for their opening double-header
Austria begin with two key games against Great Britain on Saturday and Hungary on Sunday, both live on ORF 1. Two victories could secure the primary objective of avoiding relegation at an early stage. The Austrian camp expects two difficult contests in which determination and heart may make the difference.
3 min read
Five weeks of preparation, the first days in Zurich – no question, the anticipation for the start is huge. “The long preparation is important so that we are ready for the World Championship. But now we are happy that it is finally starting,” says Peter Schneider with a big smile. For the first time in his career, he is leading the national team at a World Championship as captain and he knows exactly what the national team expects, especially at the start: "Great Britain and Hungary know exactly what these games are about. Fight, scratch, bite is the motto. They will play hard, give it their all, block shots and give it their all. Just like us, because we too know what it's about. These are games where the heart decides in the end."
The ice is given a good rating, as is the entire hall and what is around it. Dominic Zwerger: "It's always a pleasure to play here. I know the arena from the league. The ice is very good and now, in front of a full house, it will be even more fun. We're hot."
The successes of the past few years are not present in the red-white-red camp. The first goal is still to avoid relegation. “We are still closer to avoiding relegation than to the quarter-finals,” emphasizes Roger Bader urgent. "We haven't forgotten where we come from. It wasn't long ago that we narrowly managed to avoid relegation against both nations."
The head coach is referring to the 5:3 against Great Britain at the 2022 World Championship in Tampere (FIN), where they were 1:3 behind at one point. A year later, they secured their place in the top division in a penalty shootout against Hungary.
Great Britain lost 2-4 at the 2024 World Championship in Prague. At that time, Austria already had relegation in its pocket. A win would have given them a chance of reaching the quarter-finals.
The record against GBR in 21 games: 13 wins, 2 draws, 6 defeats
The record against HUN in 58 games: 40 wins, 2 draws, 16 defeats
2026 IIHF ICE HOCKEY WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
May 15, 2026 - May 31, 2026, Zurich and Fribourg (SUI)
Defending champions: USA
Group A, Zurich: USA, Switzerland, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Austria, Hungary, Great Britain
Group B, Fribourg: Canada, Sweden, Czech Republic, Denmark, Slovakia, Norway, Slovenia, Italy
Schedule
Great Britain vs. Austria
Sat., May 16, 2026, 12:20 p.m., Swiss Life Arena
Live on ORF 1
Austria vs. Hungary
Sun., May 17, 2026, 4:20 p.m., Swiss Life Arena
Live on ORF SPORT+, live on ORF 1 from 5:00 p.m
Latvia vs. Austria
Tuesday, May 19, 2026, 4:20 p.m., Swiss Life Arena
Live on ORF 1
Austria vs. Switzerland
Wed., May 20, 2026, 4:20 p.m., Swiss Life Arena
Live on ORF 1
Austria vs. Germany
Sat., May 23, 2026, 8:20 p.m., Swiss Life Arena
Live on ORF SPORT+
Finland vs. Austria
Sun., May 24, 2026, 8:20 p.m., Swiss Life Arena
Live on ORF SPORT+
USA vs. Austria
Tuesday, May 26, 2026, 4:20 p.m., Swiss Life Arena
Live on ORF 1
Ticketing
Information about World Championship ticket sales 2026.iihfworlds.com
Link to World Championship tickets for Zurich and Fribourg
Link to individual games with Austria
Link to World Championship packages with the Austria games
