The IIHF World Championship Germany 2027™ returns to a special venue: At the 61,574-seat Veltins-Arena in Gelsenkirchen, Team Germany will open the tournament against reigning runnersup Switzerland on Thursday, May 13, 2027—one day before the official start of the tournament. The first puck drops at 8:20 PM. Seventeen years after the IIHF World Championship 2010, the arena will once again host an opening game. In the legendary 2010 opener, Germany defeated Team USA 2–1 in overtime.
With the announcement of the opening game, the first ticket sales phase for the IIHF World Championship Germany 2027™ also begins. Starting Thursday, July 16, 2026, at 12:00 PM, fans can secure their first tickets. Available at launch:
Fan information for the opening game in Gelsenkirchen
The official Team Germany fan section will be located in the North Curve of the Veltins-Arena. For fans of the Swiss national team, blocks V and W are designated.
Further ticket sales phases
Ticket sales will take place in several phases. The full game schedule will be published in September 2026, marking the start of official sales for day packages. Individual game tickets will be available from February 2027.
Further information on hospitality offerings will be released in late summer.
Fans can already register now to receive early information about the start of day package sales in September and secure exclusive ticketing benefits: HERE
Claus Gröbner, Managing Director of the IIHF World Championship 2027™ Organizing CommiDee: “With the announcement of the opening game, the IIHF World Championship Germany 2027™ becomes tangible for fans for the first time. After a long phase of planning and preparation, the tournament is now gradually taking shape. An opening game is always a special moment—it marks the beginning of an international sporting festival and creates memories that last far beyond the first day of competition. Starting the IIHF World Championship 2027™ in Germany with such a highlight is truly something special. With the launch of ticket sales, fans can now become part of this journey and secure their place early for an extraordinary ice hockey experience.”
Matti Nurminen, Director General, International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF): “Gelsenkirchen made ice hockey history in 2010. With the opening game of the IIHF World Championship Germany 2027™ coming back to this iconic venue, we are building on that ice hockey legacy. The opening game between host Germany and reigning runners-up Switzerland brings together two top hockey nations in a matchup that promises an unforgettable start to the tournament.”
Daniel Hopp, Managing Director of SAP Arena Mannheim and Ticketing by SAP Arena: “The start of ticket sales marks the beginning of anticipation for many fans ahead of the IIHF World Championship Germany 2027™. For us, this anticipation is felt on two levels: At the Host City, we are preparing the SAP Arena for the tournament with targeted construction measures and organizational preparations. At the same time, as the Official Partner for ticketing, we accompany fans from their very first ticket purchase. Our goal is to create the best possible conditions—both in Mannheim and in ticketing—for a first-class experience, because the journey to the IIHF WM 2027™ begins long before the first puck drops.”
Kim Lachmann, Managing Director D.LIVE/D.SPORTS: “The Host City of Düsseldorf and the Düsseldorf Dome are preparing for a special international sporting event. With the construction of two new team locker rooms, additional seating for ice hockey fans, a new rink board system, and further structural and technical measures, we are creating the conditions for a modern stage for the IIHF WM 2027™. In parallel with the start of ticket sales, preparations on site are continuing at full speed. Our shared goal is to provide teams, fans, and partners with optimal conditions and to deliver a IIHF World Championship Germany 2027™ at the highest level.”
With the announcement of the opening game, the first ticket sales phase for the IIHF World Championship Germany 2027™ also begins. Starting Thursday, July 16, 2026, at 12:00 PM, fans can secure their first tickets. Available at launch:
- Tickets for the opening game in Gelsenkirchen
- VIP venue packages (all games)
- Day packages for the quarter-finals
- Final round packages in Düsseldorf (semi-finals, bronze medal game and gold medal game)
Fan information for the opening game in Gelsenkirchen
The official Team Germany fan section will be located in the North Curve of the Veltins-Arena. For fans of the Swiss national team, blocks V and W are designated.
Further ticket sales phases
Ticket sales will take place in several phases. The full game schedule will be published in September 2026, marking the start of official sales for day packages. Individual game tickets will be available from February 2027.
Further information on hospitality offerings will be released in late summer.
Fans can already register now to receive early information about the start of day package sales in September and secure exclusive ticketing benefits: HERE
Claus Gröbner, Managing Director of the IIHF World Championship 2027™ Organizing CommiDee: “With the announcement of the opening game, the IIHF World Championship Germany 2027™ becomes tangible for fans for the first time. After a long phase of planning and preparation, the tournament is now gradually taking shape. An opening game is always a special moment—it marks the beginning of an international sporting festival and creates memories that last far beyond the first day of competition. Starting the IIHF World Championship 2027™ in Germany with such a highlight is truly something special. With the launch of ticket sales, fans can now become part of this journey and secure their place early for an extraordinary ice hockey experience.”
Matti Nurminen, Director General, International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF): “Gelsenkirchen made ice hockey history in 2010. With the opening game of the IIHF World Championship Germany 2027™ coming back to this iconic venue, we are building on that ice hockey legacy. The opening game between host Germany and reigning runners-up Switzerland brings together two top hockey nations in a matchup that promises an unforgettable start to the tournament.”
Daniel Hopp, Managing Director of SAP Arena Mannheim and Ticketing by SAP Arena: “The start of ticket sales marks the beginning of anticipation for many fans ahead of the IIHF World Championship Germany 2027™. For us, this anticipation is felt on two levels: At the Host City, we are preparing the SAP Arena for the tournament with targeted construction measures and organizational preparations. At the same time, as the Official Partner for ticketing, we accompany fans from their very first ticket purchase. Our goal is to create the best possible conditions—both in Mannheim and in ticketing—for a first-class experience, because the journey to the IIHF WM 2027™ begins long before the first puck drops.”
Kim Lachmann, Managing Director D.LIVE/D.SPORTS: “The Host City of Düsseldorf and the Düsseldorf Dome are preparing for a special international sporting event. With the construction of two new team locker rooms, additional seating for ice hockey fans, a new rink board system, and further structural and technical measures, we are creating the conditions for a modern stage for the IIHF WM 2027™. In parallel with the start of ticket sales, preparations on site are continuing at full speed. Our shared goal is to provide teams, fans, and partners with optimal conditions and to deliver a IIHF World Championship Germany 2027™ at the highest level.”