photo: © Organizing Committee
When the 2025 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship kicks off in Stockholm on May 9, it will do so with a historic opening ceremony accompanied by an iconic global hit. Levels by Avicii has been chosen as the official song for 2025 IIHF WM, and the late artist’s music will be celebrated and reinterpreted by several performers during the opening event.
The opening ceremony will take place at Avicii Arena – a venue that has carried the name of Tim “Avicii” Bergling since 2021, honoring one of the most influential music creators of our time. Throughout the ceremony, a lineup of renowned artists will perform and reinterpret Avicii’s monumental and now-classic tracks, with the official championship anthem Levels at the center.
“To open the 2025 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship in an arena named after Avicii, and to present Levels as the official song, is a great honor for us. Avicii is not only one of the greatest music creators of our time—he is also a unique and celebrated symbol of Sweden. His music has a pulse and power that goes straight to the heart, and we know that it’s already deeply appreciated by both players and fans.” says Tony Wiréhn, Secretary General and CEO of the 2025 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship.
Tim “Avicii” Bergling was more than a global artist—he was a creative visionary who reshaped the world’s perception of electronic music. With universally loved hits like Levels, Wake Me Up, Hey Brother, and The Nights, he united genres, cultures, and emotions. His music continues to reach billions—Levels alone has been streamed over 1.5 billion times, and his iconic tracks have amassed over 40 billion plays worldwide.
“The IIHF is proud to have an iconic artist like Avicii represent the 2025 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship in Sweden and Denmark. It is an honor for our organization to highlight the music of a genius who has left an everlasting mark on the history of electronic music. We are confident that fans will love dancing to this song while cheering on their favorite teams, and we look forward to doing so together. Music is a powerful unifying force, and we can’t wait to be part of an unforgettable celebration at the biggest international event in the hockey world next May” says Matti Nurminen, Director General at the IIHF.
Levels also feature in the official 2025 IIHF WM trailer.
The opening ceremony will take place at Avicii Arena – a venue that has carried the name of Tim “Avicii” Bergling since 2021, honoring one of the most influential music creators of our time. Throughout the ceremony, a lineup of renowned artists will perform and reinterpret Avicii’s monumental and now-classic tracks, with the official championship anthem Levels at the center.
“To open the 2025 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship in an arena named after Avicii, and to present Levels as the official song, is a great honor for us. Avicii is not only one of the greatest music creators of our time—he is also a unique and celebrated symbol of Sweden. His music has a pulse and power that goes straight to the heart, and we know that it’s already deeply appreciated by both players and fans.” says Tony Wiréhn, Secretary General and CEO of the 2025 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship.
Tim “Avicii” Bergling was more than a global artist—he was a creative visionary who reshaped the world’s perception of electronic music. With universally loved hits like Levels, Wake Me Up, Hey Brother, and The Nights, he united genres, cultures, and emotions. His music continues to reach billions—Levels alone has been streamed over 1.5 billion times, and his iconic tracks have amassed over 40 billion plays worldwide.
“The IIHF is proud to have an iconic artist like Avicii represent the 2025 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship in Sweden and Denmark. It is an honor for our organization to highlight the music of a genius who has left an everlasting mark on the history of electronic music. We are confident that fans will love dancing to this song while cheering on their favorite teams, and we look forward to doing so together. Music is a powerful unifying force, and we can’t wait to be part of an unforgettable celebration at the biggest international event in the hockey world next May” says Matti Nurminen, Director General at the IIHF.
Levels also feature in the official 2025 IIHF WM trailer.