The 2026 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship Division I, Group B will be held at the Shenzhen Universiade Center in Longgang District from April 29 to May 5, 2026. The tournament will feature six top-tier teams: Romania, South Korea, Estonia, China, Spain, and the Netherlands. It will adopt a single round-robin format with a total of 15 games.
The organization of this event is not only a high recognition of China's ice hockey development achievements by the IIHF but also a vivid practice of the high-quality development of ice and snow sports in China's "post-Winter Olympics era."
The six participating teams bring distinct strengths to the tournament, promising a highly competitive tournament. Romania relies on disciplined tactics and strong physical play, while Estonia’s young roster is known for speed and quick transitions. Spain offers technical finesse and creative passing combinations, and the Netherlands stands out for its cohesion and consistent all-round performance. South Korea, a traditional Asian contender, adds pace and athleticism to the mix.
The Chinese team has made significant progress through recent IIHF Ice Hockey Asia Championships and professional league experience, strengthening its tactical systems, individual skills, and overall chemistry. With the added boost of home-ice advantage, the team aims to deliver a determined performance and push for a higher ranking, reflecting the continued development of Chinese men’s ice hockey.
As an international event that blends high-level competition with strong spectator appeal, the tournament carries broad significance. It provides a platform for hockey players from six countries to compete and exchange experience, supports the growth of ice hockey, and helps inspire greater public engagement in China. The event also brings new momentum to talent development and the wider ice hockey industry.
More information about the 2026 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship Division I, Group B can be found at www.iihf.com and on the IIHF social media channels on Facebook, X, Instagram, Threads, Weibo and Douyin.
2026 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship Division I, Group B Game Schedule
Wednesday, April 29
12:30 PM: ESP vs EST
16:30 PM: NED vs ROU
19:30 PM: CHN vs KOR
Thursday, April 30
12:30 PM: EST vs NED
16:30 PM: KOR vs ESP
19:30 PM: ROU vs CHN
Saturday, May 2
12:30 PM: ROU vs ESP
16:30 PM: KOR vs EST
19:30 PM: NED vs CHN
Sunday, May 3
12:30 PM: EST vs ROU
16:30 PM: KOR vs NED
19:30 PM: CHN vs ESP
Tuesday, May 5
12:30 PM: ROU vs KOR
16:30 PM: ESP vs NED
19:30 PM: EST vs CHN
The organization of this event is not only a high recognition of China's ice hockey development achievements by the IIHF but also a vivid practice of the high-quality development of ice and snow sports in China's "post-Winter Olympics era."
The six participating teams bring distinct strengths to the tournament, promising a highly competitive tournament. Romania relies on disciplined tactics and strong physical play, while Estonia’s young roster is known for speed and quick transitions. Spain offers technical finesse and creative passing combinations, and the Netherlands stands out for its cohesion and consistent all-round performance. South Korea, a traditional Asian contender, adds pace and athleticism to the mix.
The Chinese team has made significant progress through recent IIHF Ice Hockey Asia Championships and professional league experience, strengthening its tactical systems, individual skills, and overall chemistry. With the added boost of home-ice advantage, the team aims to deliver a determined performance and push for a higher ranking, reflecting the continued development of Chinese men’s ice hockey.
As an international event that blends high-level competition with strong spectator appeal, the tournament carries broad significance. It provides a platform for hockey players from six countries to compete and exchange experience, supports the growth of ice hockey, and helps inspire greater public engagement in China. The event also brings new momentum to talent development and the wider ice hockey industry.
More information about the 2026 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship Division I, Group B can be found at www.iihf.com and on the IIHF social media channels on Facebook, X, Instagram, Threads, Weibo and Douyin.
2026 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship Division I, Group B Game Schedule
Wednesday, April 29
12:30 PM: ESP vs EST
16:30 PM: NED vs ROU
19:30 PM: CHN vs KOR
Thursday, April 30
12:30 PM: EST vs NED
16:30 PM: KOR vs ESP
19:30 PM: ROU vs CHN
Saturday, May 2
12:30 PM: ROU vs ESP
16:30 PM: KOR vs EST
19:30 PM: NED vs CHN
Sunday, May 3
12:30 PM: EST vs ROU
16:30 PM: KOR vs NED
19:30 PM: CHN vs ESP
Tuesday, May 5
12:30 PM: ROU vs KOR
16:30 PM: ESP vs NED
19:30 PM: EST vs CHN