The puck has dropped for the 2024 IIHF World Championship, the pinnacle international ice hockey tournament for men’s national teams! This year, Czech Republic takes center ice as the host nation, with 16 countries vying for the coveted gold medal from May 10th to 26th.
This edition marks a return to normalcy after the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Announced in September 2020, the tournament promises high-octane action across two venues: Prague Arena and Ostrava Arena.
The format features a preliminary round where the teams are divided into two groups. Each team plays every other team in their group, with points awarded for wins, overtime/shootout victories, and regulation losses. The top four teams from each group advance to the knockout stage, where the drama intensifies with thrilling quarter-final, semi-final, and medal matches.
Team rosters are a star-studded affair. Each nation brings its best, with a minimum of 15 skaters (forwards and defensemen) and 2 goaltenders. Fans can expect to see dazzling displays of skill and strategy from the world’s top ice hockey players.
As of today, May 10th, the opening day has seen some exciting matchups with the games still in progress. Switzerland and Norway, Slovakia and Germany, Czech Republic and Finland, and Sweden and the United States are all battling it out on the ice.
If you’re a hockey enthusiast, this is the tournament to follow! Keep an eye out for the results, emerging stars, and the nail-biting journey towards crowning the 2024 World Champion!
How to watch 2024 IIHF World Championship
Canada: TSN.
Caribbean: ESPN.
Latin America: ESPN
USA & Its Territories: NHL Network.
When & Where is the 2024 IIHF World Championship?
- Start date: Friday, May 10
- End date: Sunday, May 26
- Location: Ostrava, Czechia & Prague, Czechia
- Venue: Ostrava Arena / O2 Arena
The 2024 tournament is set to start on Friday, May 10 and run until Sunday, May 26.
The group stage will take over a week and a half, as it begins on Friday, May 10 and goes until Tuesday, May 21. The playoff portion of the tournament starts on Thursday, May 23.
The 2024 IIHF World Championship is being held in Czechia. The country is hosting the tournament in two cities — Ostrava and Prague.
Games held in Ostrava will be played at the Ostrava Arena, the home rink for HC Vítkovice of the Czech Extraliga. Contests in Prague will be played at O2 Arena, home of HC Sparta Prague of the Czech Extraliga.
IIHF World Championship Full Schedule
Here’s a table chart for the IIHF World Championship schedule:
| Date | Matchup | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| May 10 | Switzerland vs. Norway | 10:20 a.m. |
| Slovakia vs. Germany | 10:20 a.m. | |
| Czechia vs. Finland | 2:20 p.m. | |
| Sweden vs. USA | 2:20 p.m. | |
| May 11 | Great Britain vs. Canada | 6:20 a.m. |
| France vs. Kazakhstan | 6:20 a.m. | |
| Austria vs. Denmark | 10:20 a.m. | |
| Poland vs. Latvia | 10:20 a.m. | |
| Norway vs. Czechia | 2:20 p.m. | |
| USA vs. Germany | 2:20 p.m. | |
| May 12 | Finland vs. Great Britain | 6:20 a.m. |
| Slovakia vs. Kazakhstan | 6:20 a.m. | |
| Denmark vs. Canada | 10:20 a.m. | |
| Latvia vs. France | 10:20 a.m. | |
| Austria vs. Switzerland | 2:20 p.m. | |
| Sweden vs. Poland | 2:20 p.m. | |
| May 13 | Norway vs. Finland | 10:20 a.m. |
| USA vs. Slovakia | 10:20 a.m. | |
| Switzerland vs. Czechia | 2:20 p.m. | |
| Germany vs. Sweden | 2:20 p.m. | |
| May 14 | Denmark vs. Norway | 10:20 a.m. |
| Kazakhstan vs. Latvia | 10:20 a.m. | |
| Canada vs. Austria | 2:20 p.m. | |
| Poland vs. France | 2:20 p.m. | |
| May 15 | Czechia vs. Denmark | 10:20 a.m. |
| Germany vs. Latvia | 10:20 a.m. | |
| Switzerland vs. Great Britain | 2:20 p.m. | |
| Slovakia vs. Poland | 2:20 p.m. | |
| May 16 | Finland vs. Austria | 10:20 a.m. |
| Kazakhstan vs. Sweden | 10:20 a.m. | |
| USA vs. France | 2:20 p.m. | |
| Canada vs. Norway | 2:20 p.m. | |
| May 17 | Germany vs. Kazakhstan | 10:20 a.m. |
| Denmark vs. Great Britain | 10:20 a.m. | |
| Poland vs. USA | 2:20 p.m. | |
| Austria vs. Czechia | 2:20 p.m. | |
| May 18 | Denmark vs. Switzerland | 6:20 a.m. |
| Latvia vs. Sweden | 6:20 a.m. | |
| Canada vs. Finland | 10:20 a.m. | |
| Germany vs. Poland | 10:20 a.m. | |
| Czechia vs. Great Britain | 2:20 p.m. | |
| France vs. Slovakia | 2:20 p.m. | |
| May 19 | Norway vs. Austria | 10:20 a.m. |
| USA vs. Kazakhstan | 10:20 a.m. | |
| Switzerland vs. Canada | 2:20 p.m. | |
| Slovakia vs. Latvia | 2:20 p.m. | |
| May 20 | Great Britain vs. Norway | 10:20 a.m. |
| Sweden vs. France | 10:20 a.m. | |
| Finland vs. Denmark | 2:20 p.m. | |
| Kazakhstan vs. Poland | 2:20 p.m. | |
| May 21 | Austria vs. Great Britain | 6:20 a.m. |
| France vs. Germany | 6:20 a.m. | |
| Canada vs. Czechia | 10:20 a.m. | |
| Latvia vs. USA | 10:20 a.m. | |
| Finland vs. Switzerland | 2:20 p.m. | |
| Sweden vs. Slovakia | 2:20 p.m. | |
| May 23 | Quarterfinal: TBD vs. TBD | 10:20 a.m. |
| Quarterfinal: TBD vs. TBD | 10:20 a.m. | |
| Quarterfinal: TBD vs. TBD | 2:20 p.m. | |
| Quarterfinal: TBD vs. TBD | 2:20 p.m. | |
| May 25 | Semifinal: TBD vs. TBD | 8:20 a.m. |
| May 26 | Bronze-Medal Game: TBD vs. TBD | 9:20 a.m. |
IIHF World Championship standings 2024
There are 16 countries competing at the 2024 IIHF World Championship. The group is split up into two pools of eight. Teams will play seven preliminary games in a round-robin format within their group, followed by a three-round playoff.
In the group stage, teams earn three points for a regulation win, two points for an overtime win, one point for an overtime loss and no points for a regulation loss.
The top four teams from each pool advance to the quarterfinals. The winners of quarterfinal games advance to the semis, while the losers will play in a 5th-place game for seeding purposes. The victors of the semifinals will face off in the gold medal game, and the semis losers will play for bronze.
| Group A | GP | W | OTW | OTL | L | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austria | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Canada | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Czech Republic | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Denmark | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Finland | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Great Britain | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Norway | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Switzerland | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Group B | GP | W | OTW | OTL | L | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| France | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Germany | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Kazakhstan | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Latvia | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Poland | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Slovakia | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sweden | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| USA | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Key:
- GP – Games Played
- W – Wins (3 points)
- OTW – Overtime Wins (2 points)
- OTL – Overtime Losses (1 point)
- L – Losses (0 points)
- PTS – Points
Note: The tournament began on May 10, 2024. This table reflects the standings before any games have been played.
2024 IIHF World Championship: A Battle for Gold Begins
The puck has dropped in Czechia for the 2024 IIHF World Championship! Sixteen nations are vying for ice hockey glory, all vying to etch their names on the coveted trophy. With the preliminary round underway, here’s a glimpse of what to expect:
Heavyweight Contenders:
- Canada: The two-time defending champions boast a formidable roster. Watch for young guns like Cole Caufield lighting up the scoreboard alongside seasoned veterans.
- Finland: Always a threat, Finland will be hungry to reclaim their crown. Their disciplined style and potent offense make them a team to fear.
- Czech Republic: Playing on home ice, Czech Republic will be fueled by fervent fan support. Look for them to challenge the big dogs with their speed and tenacity.
- USA: Led by rising stars, Team USA is a force to be reckoned with. Their blend of speed and size could propel them to the podium.
Intriguing Storylines:
- Can Great Britain pull off another upset? The underdogs famously defeated Canada in 1936. Can they repeat history?
- Will a dark horse emerge? Teams like Sweden, Germany, and Slovakia all possess the talent to surprise.
Beyond the Big Names:
- Keep an eye on individual stars: Breakout performances can fuel a team’s journey. Will established players shine, or will new heroes rise?
- Expect high-octane action: The World Championship showcases the best of international hockey. Fast-paced games with big hits and breathtaking goals are guaranteed.
- National pride on the line: Every team plays with heart and passion, making for an emotionally charged tournament.
Who will reign supreme? The next two weeks will answer that question. With the competition fierce and the stakes high, the 2024 IIHF World Championship promises thrilling battles and an unforgettable champion!
