The 2026 IIHF U18 Men’s World Championship will take place in Slovakia from April the 22nd to May the 2nd.

The tournament will feature ten national teams divided into two groups. Group A games will be played in Trenčín, while Group B games will take place in Bratislava Ružinov. Group A will include Canada, Slovakia, Finland, Norway and Latvia. Group B will feature Germany, Sweden, Czechia, the United States and Denmark, all competing for a place in the playoff stage.

In order to ensure maximum continuity and certainty in championship preparations, the organizers have adjusted one of the host venues. Trenčín will replace the originally planned host city of Piešťany. The official game schedule remains unchanged and fully complies with all IIHF requirements.

The championship will begin on Wednesday, 22nd of April, with four games on the opening day. The opening game will see Germany face Sweden in Bratislava, while Group A action will start simultaneously in Trenčín with Norway taking on Finland. The opening day will continue with Czechia versus the United States and conclude with the evening game between Canada and host nation Slovakia.

The preliminary round will continue in both host cities over the following days, offering fans a full slate of games and several attractive international matchups. Following the conclusion of the group stage, the relegation game deciding the team dropping from the Top Division will be played on April the 29th. On the same day, the championship will continue with the quarterfinal games in Trenčín and Bratislava.

The semifinals are scheduled for the 1st of May, with both games played in Trenčín. The tournament will conclude on the 2nd of May with the bronze medal game, followed by the evening final that will determine the new 2026 IIHF U18 Men’s World Champion.

Group composition and game schedule:
22 April (Wednesday)
Bratislava (Ružinov Arena):
12:00 – Germany vs. Sweden
16:00 – Czechia vs. USA
Trenčín (Pavol Demitra Arena):
14:00 – Norway vs. Finland
18:00 – Canada vs. Slovakia

23 April (Thursday)
Bratislava (Ružinov Arena):
12:00 – Denmark vs. Germany
16:00 – Sweden vs. Czechia
Trenčín (Pavol Demitra Arena):
14:00 – Canada vs. Latvia
18:00 – Slovakia vs. Norway

24 April (Friday)
Bratislava (Ružinov Arena):
16:00 – USA vs. Denmark
Trenčín (Pavol Demitra Arena):
18:00 – Finland vs. Latvia

25 April (Saturday)
Bratislava (Ružinov Arena):
12:00 – Germany vs. Czechia
16:00 – Sweden vs. USA
Trenčín (Pavol Demitra Arena):
14:00 – Norway vs. Canada
18:00 – Slovakia vs. Finland

26 April (Sunday)
Bratislava (Ružinov Arena)
16:00 – Czechia vs. Denmark
Trenčín (Pavol Demitra Arena):
18:00 – Latvia vs. Norway

27 April (Monday)
Bratislava (Ružinov Arena):
12:00 – Denmark vs. Sweden
16:00 – USA vs. Germany
Trenčín (Pavol Demitra Arena):
14:00 – Finland vs. Canada
18:00 – Latvia vs. Slovakia
 
Playoff Round and Relegation Game
29 April (Wednesday)
Trenčín (Pavol Demitra Arena):
10:00 – Relegation Game
14:00 – Quarterfinal (QF1)
18:00 – Quarterfinal (QF3)
Bratislava (Ružinov Arena):
12:00 – Quarterfinal (QF2)
16:00 – Quarterfinal (QF4)

1 May (Friday)
Trenčín (Pavol Demitra Arena):
15:00 – Semifinal (SF1)
19:00 – Semifinal (SF2)