World Championships in the Far (Middle) East

[alko]

Could it work? We had Olympics in this region and we will see another. But World Championships?

Not directly in China. But lets say in Russia aka Chabarovsk, Vladivostok?

Or in the middle of Russia? Novosibirsk, Omsk + Nur Sultan.

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[BlizzardSloth]

As this article mentions Kazakhstan is already running an application for 2026 (as well as GB and Norway). So I guess Nur-Sultan could work in the near future, even though I'd prefer to have 2026 in Switzerland as the latest option.

 

[ES]

Kazakhstan is probably the best option from that area. Regarding Russian cities near the Ural Mountains and east of that, Russian Hockey Federation has given them multiple junior tournaments.

2023 WJC is set to be in Novosibirsk while 2018 U18 tournament was in Magnitogorsk and Chelyabinsk.

 

[BOS358]

While I think Switzerland should host in 2026, it will certainly be interesting to see where the tournament will be hosted in the next round of bids. I'm all for traveling somewhere new like Kazakhstan and I have a free place to stay in London, but I don't think a nation should be able to host unless they're in the top division for a certain number of consecutive years. Yes, a team cannot be relegated if they host the following year, but to allow any nation to bid makes me think it's like buying your way into the championship.

 

[vorky]

Kazakhstan is probably the best option from that area. Regarding Russian cities near the Ural Mountains and east of that, Russian Hockey Federation has given them multiple junior tournaments.

2023 WJC is set to be in Novosibirsk while 2018 U18 tournament was in Magnitogorsk and Chelyabinsk.

2023 WJC will also be played in Omsk, while I believe Novosibirsk will be a main hub for the tournament. Both Russian cities will get a new venue for around 12,000 seats.

 

[Atas2000]

Could it work? We had Olympics in this region and we will see another. But World Championships?

Not directly in China. But lets say in Russia aka Chabarovsk, Vladivostok?

Or in the middle of Russia? Novosibirsk, Omsk + Nur Sultan.

The moan by North Americans and Europeans would be unbearable. They are so used to having everything in a convenient time zone.

 

[Albatros]

I don't know what the point would be, it's more convenient for Russian fans from Khabarovsk to come to Moscow than for fans from about anywhere to go to Khabarovsk.

 

[Lambo]

Chabarowk, Vladivostok and Sapporo! Russia and Japan!