2021 IIHF Worlds to be held in Riga, Latvia

The decision comes after the IIHF announced last month that Belarus would no longer co-host the event.

After months of political demonstrations and protests against the Belarusian government and President Alexander Lukashenko, and after sponsors threaten to boycott the tournament because of them, the IIHF Council performed due diligence of the situation and determined the safety of players, coaches, officials staff, sponsor VIPs, media and fans could not be secured.

The IIHF explored the possibility of another country co-hosting the event as they were unsure if Latvia could support the requirements of two rinks, practice facilities and hotels. Latvia has just 19 rinks in the entire country.

To facilitate COVID-19 safety regulations and team travel, the IIHF decided to keep the entire tournament within Latvia and has announced the following conditions:

• The main venue will be the Arena Riga in Riga and will host Group B, two quarter-final games, the semi-final round and the medal round
• The second venue will be the Olympic Sports Centre, which will be converted into a 6,000-capacity ice rink and will host Group A and two quarter-final games
• The Daugava Ice Rink, approximately 10 minutes from Arena Riga, will serve as the practice arena with two ice sheets. The arena is currently under construction and scheduled to be finished by the end of March 
• All 16 participating teams will be housed in one hotel
• At present time, there are no updates concerning the game schedule

A bubble concept may be implemented with all the teams will being housed in a single location and the two playing venues located closeby.

If the COVID situation in Latvia improves to a point where spectators will be allowed, the IIHF will work with the Local Organizing Committee to create a ticketing offer. 

“I would like to thank our members from Denmark and Slovakia for their willingness to assume hosting duties for the World Championship on such short notice,” said IIHF President René Fasel in the press release. “But ultimately the Council believes that keeping the whole tournament in one country allows us to be flexible. We can find cost-effective solutions to implement a bubble concept, but also we can put ourselves in a ready position to welcome fans to the World Championship if it is safe to do so.”

Julie Robenhymer contributed to this story.