About the IIHF Ice Hockey Women's World Championship
The IIHF Ice Hockey World Women's Championship is conducted annually, except for the years when the Winter Olympics are held.
The tournament is divided into several divisions which include a top division as well as lower divisions where lower-level teams take part.
2027 IIHF Women’s World Championship
The 2027 IIHF Women’s World Championship will be another major international event in women’s ice hockey. The tournament will bring together the world’s leading national teams, competing for the world title.
Where and when will it take place?
The 2027 Women’s World Championship will be held in Canada, in the city of Quebec City. Canada was awarded the right to host the tournament as part of the IIHF’s long-term allocation of Women’s World Championships. The 2027 tournament will be the first of three Women’s World Championships that Canada is scheduled to host through 2032.
The exact dates of the 2027 tournament have not yet been announced. The IIHF currently lists the event dates as TBA. Since 2026, the Women’s World Championship has been held in November. The change to the international calendar is intended to avoid a clash with the end of the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) season and make it easier for the world’s top players to participate.
Favorites
- Canada: One of the most successful teams in women’s ice hockey and a traditional favorite for the gold medal.
- USA: The reigning world champions and Canada’s main rival. The US national team regularly competes for titles at major international tournaments.
- Finland: One of Europe’s strongest teams and a regular medal contender.
- Czechia: A team that has strengthened its position in international women’s hockey and is increasingly capable of challenging the leading nations.
It is still too early to assess the exact balance of power ahead of the 2027 World Championship. Before the tournament in Quebec City, the 2026 Women’s World Championship will take place in Denmark from November 6 to 16, 2026. Its results could affect the world rankings and the composition of the groups for the following tournament.
Tournament format
Since 2026, the Women’s World Championship has been played under an updated format. The top division features 10 national teams divided into two groups of five. After the group stage, the top teams advance to the playoffs.
The format change is part of a broader update to the international women’s hockey calendar. The new schedule places the Women’s World Championship in November and is designed to create better conditions for the participation of leading players.
History of the World Championship
The Women’s World Championship has been held since 1990. Throughout the tournament’s history, the main battle for the title has been between Canada and the USA. The two teams have won the vast majority of World Championship titles.
In recent years, European teams have moved closer to the traditional leaders. Finland regularly competes for medals, while Czechia has steadily strengthened its position among the world’s top women’s hockey teams.
Reigning champion
The most recent completed Women’s World Championship was held in Czechia in 2025. The USA won the tournament after defeating Canada 4–3 in overtime in the final. Finland claimed the bronze medal.
The next World Championship will be held in Denmark in November 2026. Following that tournament, the leading national teams will continue their preparations for the 2027 championship in Quebec City.
Results of the previous IIHF World Women's Championships
| The year | Venue | Results/ Places |
| 2026 | USA | |
| 2024 | Utica (USA) | Canada |
| 2023 | Brampton (Canada) | USA |
2028 IIHF Women's World Championship
The next Women’s World Championship after the 2027 tournament is scheduled to take place in Switzerland in 2028. The host city has not yet been determined.
Official website of the International Ice Hockey Federation
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