The IIHF Council has decided to withdraw the hosting rights of the 2023 Worlds from Russia

[Fjorden]

Oslo and Lillehammer would be perfect, last year in Riga the secondary place wasn't a permanent ice rink either. If they can make them, how come Norway hasn't applied?

Norway have applied for the 2027 WC.
Her vil de arrangere VM: - Det største siden OL i 1994
Oslo and Trondheim are potential host cities.

Next year 2023 is likely to early for Norway to host. It takes time to plan events like this and you've to build an organization and assure financing and support from government and munipalcities.

I think they have chosen Trondheim because they want to spread icehockey into non-traditional markets, and Trondheim is also norways third largest city. Trondheim dosen't have an elite league team today. Plans are also to build a new center for ice sports in Trondheim with three new ice surfaces. So having a wc with three new practice surfaces will be a boost for the sport in that part of Norway.

 

[Albatros]

And Slovakia - Kazakhstan group stage game had 9,160 spectators, which had highest attendance in the entire tournament. 1994 WHC tournament in Italy, semifinal game Canada - Sweden had 10,000 spectators.

Im confident that tournament in Italy would draw players and tourists. Covid restrictions are over and people are starting to travel again.

The tournament requires 400,000+ spectators, tourists alone aren't enough and people won't show up just because the tickets were cheaper than for other events like in some instances at the Olympics.

 

[SantosHalper]

The tournament requires 400,000+ spectators,

If that's the minimum, i think it can be reached. Paris 2017 is the perfect comparison, according to IIHF in total 223,965 spectators were present in Paris. And the 2017 tournament was splitted with Germany, if all the countrys play in Italy i think that 400,000 limit can be reached.
Outstanding attendance

What a shame i didn't find how many Tampere-Helsinki tournament tickets has been sold abroad. But the "ticket lottery" thing had +1.6 MILLION ticket applications, all of them cannot be from the finnish fans. I think rules were that one person can buy max. 6 tickets per game.
IIHF - More than 1.6 million tickets applied for in draw

 

[Albatros]

Paris is also an awful hockey town in itself, but also a metropolis of 13 million. Plus in France there are enough hockey fans willing to travel at least for their own team as witnessed by the successful French Cup finals also held in Paris. Regarding the 2017 numbers, the tournament total attendance was 686,391 spectators. Paris was only a quarter of it in part because all but two playoff games took place in Cologne.

 

[wetcoast]

I wonder if they realize that a) that some, if not all, teams won't or don't want to play against them and b) restricted travel to and from Russia. Although alot can change in a year.

I think that they know this but its all part of the theater of absurdness that is attached to their international proclamations of the "purity of sport".........

I found this nugget from the article sums it up rather nicely

Meanwhile, Russian State Duma Physical Culture and Sports Committee chairman Dmitry Svishchev has called for Russia to be compensated for the decision.

"Some International Federations have begun to play it safe and deprive Russia of competitions that will not take place soon," Svishchev said.

"Now we will have the opportunity to demand compensation from the IIHF for the cancellation of the tournament.

"Another thing is important. What will the IIHF do when the hysteria is over and they try to ask us to take the tournament back? 'Do we need it with such approaches?'

"Such short-sightedness raises doubts about the competence and impartiality of foreign sports officials."

 

[ArielNederland]

I think that they know this but its all part of the theater of absurdness that is attached to their international proclamations of the "purity of sport".........

I found this nugget from the article sums it up rather nicely

If thr iihf was smart, they would simply refuse to give them money and ban them for x amount of years

 

[SantosHalper]

the tournament total attendance was 686,391 spectators. Paris was only a quarter of it in part because all but two playoff games took place in Cologne.

Yes but if all the games would have been there, 400,000 limit would have been crossed.

 

[crobro]

The two promoted teams in div 1 Slovenia and Hungary today announced a joint bid to co host the 2023 world championships now that Russia Belarus have been barred

 

[v-man]

The two promoted teams in div 1 Slovenia and Hungary today announced a joint bid to co host the 2023 world championships now that Russia Belarus have been barred

Unexpected, but I'm all for it. Two unconventional hockey countries where the sport has been growing at a good pace in the past decade. Initially I was thinking either Switzerland or Latvia should get it (one lost out completely, the other had no spectators due to Covid), but I'm not against this what so ever. Could be a fun trip. With their relegation tendencies, they'll probably never get a chance again. This is a good opportunity to expand the game to untraditional markets and give the little guys a shot.

 

[Vikz]

Agreed, it would be great to use the opportunity to promote hockey in lesser hockey countries. Both Switzerland and, hopefully, Latvia, will get their chance eventually, while Slovenia and Hungary might never be in the top tier again, especially once Russia and Belarus are back.

I am only concerned for their ability to organize such a tournament in such short notice. I am not sure whether this was an emotional statement, or they made some calculations and budgeting, but bigger hockey and overall wealthier countries need years to prepare for the tournament, while Slovenia and Hungary have rudimental hockey infrastructure and no experience in high-level hockey tournament hosting. And only a year to prepare.

 

[ES]

In general, I feel that if the tournament is going to be shared, it should be with two smaller hockey nations.

From that point, Germany/France was better than dual editions of Finland/Sweden. Especially with both of those editions taking place in the same city. Could have been better with Helsinki/Malmö followed by Stockholm/Turku.

 

[Vikz]

As per Latvian hockey federation president, Latvia is considering to apply for a shared 2023 WC with Finland. Dont really see the logic behind this, especially since Finland is hosting the WC this year. Maybe the idea is that Finns already have everything done for 2022, and it is easier for them to just repeat everything a year later?

 

[Eye of Ra]

What about Poland or Hungary? Seems to be very passionate fans there. They could split it.

 

[SoundAndFury]

What about Poland or Hungary? Seems to be very passionate fans there. They could split it.

You need to stop with the Poland stuff.

Poland isn't in the elite and isn't going to be anytime soon. Fans are also very definitely not there. Amount of people that are actually interested in hockey is extremely low as well when it comes to the general population. Polish league is based on a few small towns plus Crocovia that only fills their 4,5k arena when soccer fans decide to show up to support their club. There is a reason why even they got to host the WC (D1B one) it was in Tychy, the 28th biggest Polish town.

It was in Katowice - the biggest actual hockey-ish town in Poland - in 2016 and they never filled more than 70% of the arena capacity. And that's with actual Polish NT playing.

 

[Eye of Ra]

You need to stop with the Poland stuff.

Poland isn't in the elite and isn't going to be anytime soon. Fans are also very definitely not there. Amount of people that are actually interested in hockey is extremely low as well when it comes to the general population. Polish league is based on a few small towns plus Crocovia that only fills their 4,5k arena when soccer fans decide to show up to support their club. There is a reason why even they got to host the WC (D1B one) it was in Tychy, the 28th biggest Polish town.

It was in Katowice - the biggest actual hockey-ish town in Poland - in 2016 and they never filled more than 70% of the arena capacity. And that's with actual Polish NT playing.

What stuff? That Poland has a league that is better than ever? Thats all i said. Its just a matter of time before a new Czerkawski and Oliwa comes up. Actually Poland had some back luck. There is plenty of german hockey players in DEL and DEL2 that has polish roots but not available for Polish NT. Plactha for exemple.

Regarding the popularity of hockey in Poland i was always under the impression that its strong. Everytime i seen a game in Polish league it has been full house and good crowd etc. But i guess you are right. But let it be in Crocovia, Katowice, Tychy and Warsawa. And let Poland play. That will create some interest among poles. To make a even bigger hype Polish NT should somehow involve Czerwaski and Oliwa as coaches or something or even 13/14 forward to get some shifts. Look at Jagr, he is 50 and still playing.

 

[Albatros]

To make a even bigger hype Polish NT should somehow involve Czerwaski and Oliwa as coaches or something

A fugitive as a coach would certainly get some attention.

 

[SoundAndFury]

What stuff?

But let it be in Crocovia, Katowice, Tychy and Warsawa. And let Poland play. That will create some interest among poles. To make a even bigger hype Polish NT should somehow involve Czerwaski and Oliwa as coaches or something or even 13/14 forward to get some shifts. Look at Jagr, he is 50 and still playing.

I mean.. Answered it yourself.

Also, I'm not really sure why am I walking into this but.. Warsaw has no hockey tradition whatsoever, organizing hockey event there could be based only on circus-like attraction, pure curiosity. Katowice and Tychy are basically the same community, those are 20 km apart.

Katowice is hardly a tourist attraction so the viability of WC there is also limited to the local population which, once again, isn't interested in seeing Sweden - Finland play.

In general, you need to understand, people in places like Hungary, Poland, Lithuania, etc. aren't hockey fans. They are interested in supporting their NT. They root for the crest, most hardly know the names of local players and very few can name any NHLers at all. Their interest ends where the national interest ends. Sure there are some hardcore fans here and there but not nearly enough to warrant hosting the WC there. So really only popular tourist destinations like Krakow or Budapest are even semi-viable.

 

[scunner]

I would like to see more exotic host country, since this tournament is a license to print money this could help smallers ice hockey associations.

Austria, they would first have to stay in top level but Austrian hockey is on the rise(Rossi, Kasper). Austria has hosted the tournament 7 times before 1930, 1964(Olympics), 1967, 1977, 1987, 1996 and 2005. 2 biggest arenas, OlympiaWorld Innsbruck(7,200 or 10,000) and Erste Bank Arena(7,000)

Norway has been on the top level since 2005, they have hosted the tournament in 1952(Olympics), 1958 and 1999. Two biggest arenas CC Amfi(7,500) and Nye Jordal Amfi(5,300),only problem that they don't have bigger arenas.

Italy has the same problem as Austria they have to stay on the top level. But arena situation is good in Italy Pala Alpitour(12,350 or 14,350) and PalaOnda(7,200). Italy also going to host the Olympics again so might be good time to test the facilities. Italy has hosted 3 time before 1934, 1956(Olympics) and 1994.

England, this should be fun to start a small hockey boom in England. They have hosted twice before 1936(olympics) and 1950. Two biggest arenas, Manchester Arena(17,643) and Sheffield Arena(9,300).

Slovenia just won the Division 1 tournament, so they are not in danger to drop in the lower level. And Anze Kopitar would be fantastic ambassador for this tournament, he could tell all his fellow NHL players how great place his country is and passioned the fans are. They did host the tournament once, when they were part of Yugoslavia in 1966. Only problem is that the arenas, Tivoli Hall(7,000) and Podmežakla Hall(4,500) are awfully small.

Tournament in New York? Nassau Coliseum? or in Arizona, Glendale arena? More NHL players would participate if the tournament would be in North America.

Why not Nottingham or Sheffield and Belfast which holds about 10k? Of course Northern Ireland isn't actually part of GB, but they hosted Division 1B there in 2017.

Nottingham and Sheffield are close together so drawing from the same pool so to speak, so it would be better to do one or the other.

The O2 in London hosted NHL, but doesn't have a permanent ice pad, nor does the Manchester Arena so both of those are out.

 

[SoundAndFury]

Why not Nottingham or Sheffield and Belfast which holds about 10k?

Because much like I wrote about Poland, no one sane wants to visit those places and it's a pain to get there. Local interest isn't nearly enough when you are talking about 30+ games potentially being played there.

Those would be great places for D1A/B events though where all you are looking for is selling out 5 (now it's down to 4) games of a home team.

 

[scunner]

I actually agree with you on attendance, I don't think GB is a good match.

Regarding being a pain to get to and nobody wanting to visit, that didn't stop Kosice being chosen. I would also argue that Tampere isn't exactly accessible, especially when SAS rearrange their schedules and cancel flights over the tournament period. If you are flying to Helsinki and travelling to Tampere why not fly to London and travel to Nottingham? Always assuming you can't fly to Birmingham, East Midlands (Nottingham) or Sheffield airports?

 

[SoundAndFury]

Regarding being a pain to get to and nobody wanting to visit, that didn't stop Kosice being chosen. I would also argue that Tampere isn't exactly accessible, especially when SAS rearrange their schedules and cancel flights over the tournament period. If you are flying to Helsinki and travelling to Tampere why not fly to London and travel to Nottingham? Always assuming you can't fly to Birmingham, East Midlands (Nottingham) or Sheffield airports?

When we are talking about cities in legitimate hockey countries it's different. Kosice is easily accessible to hundreds of thousands of hockey fans from Czechia and Slovakia by their own cars. Same with Tampere to hundreds of thousands of Finns and Swedes (albeit with a ferry ride in between). Same with, for example, Mannheim or Brno. Sure those are small cities but they are in the middle of hockey regions within a country with a big hockey fan population.

The UK is much different. Those 20-30k fan communities in select few cities is basically all UK has got. Not much chance to get attention via PR campaign either since you will never beat football no matter how much you throw at it. Only argument on GB's side is that maybe NA fans would be more willing to travel there than to Kosice/Tampere/Mannheim, etc. But that's probably not a significant number in any case.

 

[Albatros]

Warsaw has no hockey tradition whatsoever, organizing hockey event there could be based only on circus-like attraction, pure curiosity.

While substantially I agree 100 % that's still a little bit cruel, Warsaw was home to some of the most successful hockey clubs in Poland historically. It's more like the sport is (almost) dead in the city today, not to mention there's no arena capable of hosting a major competition (Torwar is hardly modern and seats less than 5k).

 

[FiLe]

As per Latvian hockey federation president, Latvia is considering to apply for a shared 2023 WC with Finland. Dont really see the logic behind this, especially since Finland is hosting the WC this year. Maybe the idea is that Finns already have everything done for 2022, and it is easier for them to just repeat everything a year later?

FIHA Chairman Harri Nummela confirmed this.

The idea indeed is that very few countries are capable of setting up the event in a mere year's time. Both Latvia and Finland can use some of the existing organization from this and the previous year, further helped along of neither having to handle the entire event.

Finland could probably have done it all alone, if not for the troubles with finding a secondary venue. They have the state-of-the-art arena in Tampere, but the Helsinki Arena is under Russian ownership and, well, they've more or less hit the proverbial planks over its doors because of the sanctions. Solutions are being discussed, from using a special frozen assets account to buy the present owners out to either the city or the state using eminent domain to purchase the arena.

 

[Urbanskog]

You need to stop with the Poland stuff.

Poland isn't in the elite and isn't going to be anytime soon. Fans are also very definitely not there. Amount of people that are actually interested in hockey is extremely low as well when it comes to the general population. Polish league is based on a few small towns plus Crocovia that only fills their 4,5k arena when soccer fans decide to show up to support their club. There is a reason why even they got to host the WC (D1B one) it was in Tychy, the 28th biggest Polish town.

It was in Katowice - the biggest actual hockey-ish town in Poland - in 2016 and they never filled more than 70% of the arena capacity. And that's with actual Polish NT playing.

It's not an outlandish idea that Poland would be in the elite some day in the near future, they weren't exactly far away from that in 2016. Now that Russia and Belarus are out of contention, there's even more room in the elite.

Of course, Poland is not a viable host for next year as they don't even have a place in the elite for next year. Co-hosting the tournament one day with the Czech Republic or Slovakia could work out better than organizing it all by themselves.

 

[Vikz]

FIHA Chairman Harri Nummela confirmed this.

The idea indeed is that very few countries are capable of setting up the event in a mere year's time. Both Latvia and Finland can use some of the existing organization from this and the previous year, further helped along of neither having to handle the entire event.

Finland could probably have done it all alone, if not for the troubles with finding a secondary venue. They have the state-of-the-art arena in Tampere, but the Helsinki Arena is under Russian ownership and, well, they've more or less hit the proverbial planks over its doors because of the sanctions. Solutions are being discussed, from using a special frozen assets account to buy the present owners out to either the city or the state using eminent domain to purchase the arena.

Are Finlands rinks in such a bad shape, that apart from the sanctioned Helsinki arena and the Tampere arena, there are non better or at least on par with the Riga arena (built 2004, capacity 10 000 people)? Genuinely interested, since finnish league is one of the best in Europe, although I've heard that the sallaries are not the best.