Tournament FormatThe 16 participating teams will be split into four groups according to their IIHF World Ranking.
| Preliminary Round
A round-robin will see each team compete against the others of its group – making for three games per team. The group's three best-placed teams will then move on to compete in the Qualifying Round, while the last-placed team goes to the Relegation Round.
Qualifying Round
Split into two groups, the twelve teams will play on – making for a further three games for each team. |
Relegation Round
The four last-placed teams will continue to play in the Relegation Round. The two relegated teams will be determined by round-robin.
Quarter-Finals
Following the Qualifying Round, the four best placed teams in each group will compete in the four Quarter-final games. The two last-placed teams in each group drop out of the tournament.
Semi-Finals
The winners of the Quarter Finals will compete in the two Semi-Final games.
Bronze Medal Game
The two losers of the Semi-Finals will play each other for third and fourth place, and the Bronze Medal.
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Gold Medal Game
The winners of the Semi-Finals will compete in an ultimate game for the World Championship title. |
