Germany is reconsidering its role as host of the 2027 Ice Hockey World Championship after a cascade of European federations declared they would refuse to play against Russia. The decision follows a ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on 30 October that forced the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) to readmit Russian national teams across all age groups, including the senior tournament scheduled for May in Germany.
The IIHF has said it disagrees with the ruling but will comply. However, the German Ice Hockey Federation (DEB) has made clear that compliance may come at a heavy price. DEB chair Frank H. Lutz said the ruling “fundamentally changes the situation” for the championship, adding: “Our position remains unchanged: we reject the return of Russian national teams to international ice hockey tournaments.”
Lutz warned that allowing Russia to participate would have “serious consequences for us as the host country in terms of security, as well as politically and economically.” The DEB is now analysing the decision with the IIHF, and the federation’s executive body began a two-day meeting on Monday to discuss the fallout.
Widespread refusal to play
Finland, Norway, the Czech Republic, Latvia, Denmark and Sweden have all announced they will not take the ice against Russia at the 2027 championship. Austria is reportedly considering joining them. The Finnish Ice Hockey Federation was blunt: it will not play Russia until the country ends its full-scale war against Ukraine. Chair Heikki Hietanen said Finland is working to coordinate a joint position among as many nations as possible to tell the IIHF that “none of us will play against Russia” in the current situation.
Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen went further, stating that “Russian athletes will not be welcome in Finland next year if Russia continues its aggressive war.” She added that she intends to propose restricting Russian athletes’ access to the entire Schengen area. Czech Interior Minister Lubomír Metnar noted that the CAS ruling does not oblige Prague to issue visas to Russian nationals, as a decree banning short-term visas for Russian citizens remains in force.
Canada has also weighed in. Prime Minister Mark Carney said on Tuesday that Russia would not be permitted to compete at the World Junior Ice Hockey Championship, scheduled for late December in Alberta. The CAS ruling does not affect the Women’s World Championship, which begins this week in Denmark and will proceed without Russia.
Sponsors threaten to walk
Two tournament sponsors have said they would withdraw if Russia competes. AJ Products, a Swedish office furniture company that has backed the championship since 1989, said it would ask for its logo to be removed in protest. CEO David Bray said the company would take that step “as a protest against Russia.” Finnish tyre manufacturer Nokian Tyres said that “continuing sponsorship in the event of Russia's participation would contradict our values.”
The European Commission weighed in on Tuesday, saying that while sports federations have the right to organise their competitions, “both federations and member states must comply with EU sanctions and restrictive measures.” Spokesperson Eva Hrnčířová added: “Sport should not serve as a tool of propaganda, and normalising the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in international competitions while the war in Ukraine continues is not something we want to support.” She also said the Commission does not support the use of Russian anthems, symbols or flags at European sporting events.
The Commission noted that the European Council decided in October that there should be no normalisation until a just and lasting peace is established in Ukraine. Twenty-one members of the European Parliament have separately called for sanctions and visa restrictions against Russia following the CAS ruling.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha condemned the decision in stark terms: “By letting Russian hockey back, CAS is staining the ice with Ukrainian blood. Letting them back now would hand Moscow the international legitimacy it craves.” He concluded: “Russia's war must have consequences, including in international sport.”
Russia has long used prominent athletes as political figures since its full-scale invasion began in early 2022. Ice hockey star Alexander Ovechkin appeared in a campaign video for the ruling United Russia party alongside Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in September. The ongoing conflict continues to cast a shadow over international sport, as seen in recent diplomatic standoffs and renewed attacks on Ukrainian cities.
