The International Ice Hockey Federation is pleased to confirm that the IIHF Women’s World Championship 2026 will take place in Denmark from 6–16 November 2026, with games hosted in the cities of Herning and Esbjerg.
While Herning was announced earlier, the announcement of Esbjerg as the second host city marks an exciting step as Denmark prepares to host the world’s best women’s national teams for one of the premier events in international ice hockey.
Herning will serve as one of the tournament hubs and host games at the Hockey Arena Herning, a venue well known to hockey fans in the region. The arena has a proven track record as the home of the Herning Blue Fox ice hockey team and will now welcome fans from around the globe.
The second host city, Esbjerg, will stage games at Hockey Arena Esbjerg. Located on Denmark’s west coast, Esbjerg is a vibrant sports city with a strong hockey tradition and an experienced local organizing community. The venue regularly hosts top-level ice hockey and provides an intimate and energetic atmosphere that is ideal for international competition.
“We are excited to be able to share this news and to confirm both host cities for the IIHF Women’s World Championship 2026,” said Henrik Bach Nielsen, Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee. “Herning and Esbjerg have outstanding facilities and passionate fans, creating a fantastic stage for the world’s best women’s players.”
While Herning was announced earlier, the announcement of Esbjerg as the second host city marks an exciting step as Denmark prepares to host the world’s best women’s national teams for one of the premier events in international ice hockey.
Herning will serve as one of the tournament hubs and host games at the Hockey Arena Herning, a venue well known to hockey fans in the region. The arena has a proven track record as the home of the Herning Blue Fox ice hockey team and will now welcome fans from around the globe.
The second host city, Esbjerg, will stage games at Hockey Arena Esbjerg. Located on Denmark’s west coast, Esbjerg is a vibrant sports city with a strong hockey tradition and an experienced local organizing community. The venue regularly hosts top-level ice hockey and provides an intimate and energetic atmosphere that is ideal for international competition.
“We are excited to be able to share this news and to confirm both host cities for the IIHF Women’s World Championship 2026,” said Henrik Bach Nielsen, Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee. “Herning and Esbjerg have outstanding facilities and passionate fans, creating a fantastic stage for the world’s best women’s players.”
photo: © INTERNATIONAL ICE HOCKEY FEDERATION
“Building on the excitement we saw earlier this year, the 2026 Women’s World Championship promises to be another outstanding best-on-best tournament,” said Luc Tardif. “Denmark is renowned for hosting world-class events and we are confident that Herning and Esbjerg will provide a fantastic environment for the world’s top players to compete and for fans to celebrate the women’s game.”
The IIHF Women’s World Championship is the pinnacle tournament of international women’s ice hockey, featuring the top national teams competing for the world title. The event showcases the highest level of the women’s game and continues to play a key role in the growth and visibility of women’s hockey worldwide.
Over the 10-day tournament, fans will witness elite competition, intense national rivalries and the opportunity to see many of the sport’s brightest stars in action. Beyond the games themselves, the championship will also highlight the continued growth of women’s hockey and inspire the next generation of players.
The tournament will bring together the world’s top 10 national teams: Canada, United States, Czechia, Finland, Switzerland, Sweden, Germany, Japan, Austria and host nation Denmark.
Group A will feature United States, Czechia, Switzerland, Germany and Austria with preliminary-round games played in Esbjerg.
Group B will include Canada, Finland, Sweden, Japan and host nation Denmark, playing their preliminary-round games Herning.
The final round of the championship will take place in Herning.
Additional information regarding the tournament schedule and ticket sales will be announced in the coming months.
The IIHF Women’s World Championship is the pinnacle tournament of international women’s ice hockey, featuring the top national teams competing for the world title. The event showcases the highest level of the women’s game and continues to play a key role in the growth and visibility of women’s hockey worldwide.
Over the 10-day tournament, fans will witness elite competition, intense national rivalries and the opportunity to see many of the sport’s brightest stars in action. Beyond the games themselves, the championship will also highlight the continued growth of women’s hockey and inspire the next generation of players.
The tournament will bring together the world’s top 10 national teams: Canada, United States, Czechia, Finland, Switzerland, Sweden, Germany, Japan, Austria and host nation Denmark.
Group A will feature United States, Czechia, Switzerland, Germany and Austria with preliminary-round games played in Esbjerg.
Group B will include Canada, Finland, Sweden, Japan and host nation Denmark, playing their preliminary-round games Herning.
The final round of the championship will take place in Herning.
Additional information regarding the tournament schedule and ticket sales will be announced in the coming months.