How much are the host allowed to change the groups?

[EmilSwede]

Hi, new here.

Something I have wondered long time but couldn't find any info about it, expect the IIHF book of rules.

In the IIHF World Championship 2025 Sweden and Finland would be in different groups based on the IIHF ranking. But the Swedish host wanted Finland to be in Sweden's group with the dumb motivation that "there are more Finns in Sweden than in Denmark and Finns in Finland have easier to travel to Sweden than Denmark".

Several times the host/arrenger has swapped teams in groups with whatever motivation. So this raise the question: how much is the arrenger allowed to change the groups?

If I as an American host/arrenger think Canada is too tough opponent for USA to be in the same group, am I allowed to swap Canada with say Slovakia?

I am against changing the groups except if two teams supposed to be in the same group co-host the tournament in their own nations. Like it was done in the 2012 and 2013 championships with Sweden and Finland.

Click to read more...

 

[Jumptheshark]

Host country can reportedly move one team if the IIHF agrees and yes, they factor in crowds sizes because sometimes the second host city is in a smaller arena.

 

[Coffee]

Only twice i think

 

[Fjorden]

They do so to fill up both arenas.
E.g if the Czechs hosts, it is smart to have Slovakia playing in Ostrava due to proximity to the Sloakian border.
Same thing with Denmark hosting it would be smart to have Sweden in the Copenhagen group due to proximity to the Swedish border.

 

[ES]

When 2023 tournament was in Tampere and Riga, the hosts agreed to have one North American team in each group. So USA played in Finland and Canada in Latvia.

 

[FrHockeyFan]

Wording from the IIHF World Championship Event Code.

212.5 The IIHF Council may alter the seeding in order to accommodate the special requirements of the Host or based on geographical considerations.

212.6 If a pool consists of two groups taking place in two countries and being seeded into the same group, the IIHF Council shall be responsible for switching one of the Hosts with its counterpart in the opposite group to ensure the least sporting effect on the groups.

https://blob.iihf.com/iihf-media/iihfmvc/media/downloads/regulations/2025/iihf_event_code_iihf_world_championships.pdf

 

[EmilSwede]

Wording from the IIHF World Championship Event Code.

https://blob.iihf.com/iihf-media/iihfmvc/media/downloads/regulations/2025/iihf_event_code_iihf_world_championships.pdf

The rules are freer than that. During last year Canada demaned that they would be in the Prague group. Because Canadian playes thought Ostrava would be boring.

 

[EmilSwede]

When 2023 tournament was in Tampere and Riga, the hosts agreed to have one North American team in each group. So USA played in Finland and Canada in Latvia.

And why?