The 2024 IIHF Congress today in Prague, Czechia formally announced the hosts of the 2028 World Championship, with the French cities of Paris and Lyon awarded hosting duties for 12-28 May 2028, winning as the sole candidate after withdrawn bids from Norway and Kazakhstan.

Bercy Arena in Paris will host the semifinals and medal games, with the new OL Arena in Lyon serving as the secondary host. This will mark France’s fourth time as hosts, and first since Paris co-hosted with Cologne, Germany in 2017. Paris will host for the third time (after 1951 and 2017), while Lyon hosts for the first time ever. France was a co-host of the first ever stand-alone World Championship nearly a century ago, with Chamonix splitting hosting with Berlin and Vienna, Austria in 1930.

The IIHF Congress also confirmed the final groups for women’s 2026 Milan Olympic qualification, starting this fall; confirmed the 2026 IIHF Women’s World Championship host will be announced at the upcoming IIHF Semi-Annual Congress; and announced hosts for lower Divisions across all competitions in 2025. Be sure to check Upcoming Tournaments for updates as they are announced.

Photo Credit: IIHF Worlds 2017 – IIHF – HHOF – IOC