More than 100 of the International Ice Hockey Federation's key competition experts gathered in Budapest from 2 to 5 September, 2026, for the Season Kick-off Sport Coordination Conference, launching preparations for another busy international ice hockey season. 

For the first time, the conference brought together the specialists from four critical operational areas: Officiating Coaches, Situation Room staff, Medical Supervisors, and Result Managers. These experts represent an essential part of the IIHF's competition delivery team, serving on-site at IIHF World Championships and IIHF competitions across all levels of international hockey. 

As the federation's front-facing representatives at events around the world, they work closely with teams, organizers, officials, volunteers, and numerous other stakeholders to ensure competitions are delivered professionally, consistently, and to the highest standards. 



Over the four-day conference, participants took part in a combination of joint plenary sessions and area-specific workshops. While individual sessions focused on the unique responsibilities and developments within each operational field, the joint meetings emphasized collaboration and alignment across all functions, along with workshops on sport integrity, and on player welfare and injury prevention. 

The central message throughout the conference was clear: success comes from working together as one team. 

"Every championship relies on the seamless cooperation of many different experts behind the scenes," said IIHF Director General, Matti Nurminen. "Whether coaching game officials, overseeing medical operations, ensuring accurate results and statistics, or helping ensure the correct call is made on the ice when video review is needed, each role is essential. By bringing everyone together before the season begins, we strengthen our shared understanding, align our objectives, and reinforce our commitment to delivering every IIHF competition to the highest possible standard." 



The conference also provided an opportunity to review lessons learned from previous seasons, discuss upcoming priorities, and share best practices across disciplines. Participants exchanged experiences from events around the world, helping to build common approaches and strengthen consistency across the IIHF competition portfolio. 

As preparations continue for the 2026-27 international hockey season, the gathering in Budapest underscored the importance of teamwork, communication, and a unified approach to competition delivery. With experts from multiple disciplines aligned around a common vision, the IIHF enters the new season with a strong foundation for delivering world-class events for athletes, teams, organizers, and fans alike. 

The Season Kick-off Sport Coordination Conference highlighted the strength of the IIHF's international network of experts and reinforced a shared commitment to excellence across every level of the game.