The International Ice Hockey Federation has selected Armenia to host its Division IV World Championship tournament in 2026. The decision was formally approved during the IIHF’s annual Congress currently underway in Nice, France.
This marks the second time Armenia will organize this level of international hockey competition, having previously hosted the Division IV tournament in Yerevan in 2025. During that event, the Armenian national team secured second place, while Uzbekistan claimed the championship title.
The upcoming tournament represents another opportunity for Armenia to demonstrate its capability to organize international sporting events and showcase the growth of ice hockey within the country. The 2026 championship will follow this year’s Division IV tournament, which was held in Kuwait.
Ice hockey continues to develop across nations not traditionally associated with winter sports, with the IIHF’s lower divisions providing competitive opportunities for emerging hockey programs. The assignment of hosting duties to Armenia reflects the federation’s confidence in the country’s hockey infrastructure and organizational capabilities.
