The Presidium of the Deutscher Eishockey-Bund (DEB) has unanimously decided in favor of the two venues if the 2027 IIHF World Cup is awarded to Germany. The PSD BANK DOME in Düsseldorf and the SAP Arena in Mannheim were selected.
At the conclusion of the tendering process regarding the possible German venues for an IIHF World Championship in 2027 in Germany, the final official site visits of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) took place in both arenas between April 4 and 6, 2023.
Selection of arenas
The multi-stage, transparent and objective application process for location selection was started in autumn 2022, after which a total of six arenas applied to the Deutscher Eishockey-Bund as possible venues for the 2027 IIHF World Cup. The four ice stadiums in Düsseldorf, Cologne, Mannheim and Munich were finally taken over by the DEB considered for the shortlist for the final selection in December. This selection has now been reduced to the two final locations in Düsseldorf and Mannheim in accordance with the IIHF's specifications.
Details about the games
If the World Cup is awarded to Germany, the preliminary round games of the German national ice hockey team will be played in the SAP Arena in Mannheim. The remaining, up to a total of 30, games of the IIHF World Championship involving the eight teams in the German group will also take place there. This also includes two quarter-final games.
A total of up to 34 games in the second group will be played by another eight teams at the PSD BANK DOME in Düsseldorf. These include all preliminary round games in this group, two quarter-finals, the two semi-finals as well as the bronze and gold medal games. In addition, Düsseldorf will host the IIHF annual congress around the final weekend of the 2027 IIHF World Championship.
The Presidium of the DEB As part of the selection of the two venues, also unanimously voted in favor of an option to host a possible opening game in a football arena with a fully closable roof. In the event of a positive decision for Germany, the details and conditions for this will be discussed together with the IIHF over the next few months.
Awarding of the 2027 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship
The right to host the 2027 IIHF World Championship will be awarded by the IIHF delegates on May 26, 2023 as part of the 2023 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship in Tampere, Finland. The only remaining competitor is Kazakhstan.
DEB-President Dr. Peter Merten: “We would like to thank all arenas for their effort and effort regarding the application. We were also very pleased with the comprehensive support we received from the respective cities and federal states. We are well prepared for the final phase of the World Championship bid and are now hoping for a decision in our favor at the IIHF Congress.”
DEB-General Secretary Claus Gröbner: “There are very intensive and busy months behind us. We now have the best possible constellation for the World Cup bid DEB found. The transparent selection process of the two venues was an important need for everyone involved. We would like to thank all supporters and now hope to be able to bring the 2027 IIHF World Championships to Germany.”
Mayor of the state capital Düsseldorf Dr. Stephan Keller: "We are very proud that Düsseldorf is one of two venues for the possible 2027 IIHF World Championship in Germany. If the world association awards the contract to the Deutscher Eishockey-Bund in May, the many ice hockey fans from home and abroad can be sure that they are very welcome here and great enthusiasm and euphoria would be felt at every single World Championship game in the PSD BANK DOME."
Managing Director SAP Arena Daniel Hopp: “We are very pleased that the DEB has decided, among other things, to enter the race with the SAP Arena as the venue for the 2027 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship. We all still remember with great joy the Ice Hockey World Championships in 2010, which we were able to take part in. We have worked intensively on the application over the last few months and hope that the IIHF Congress will award the tournament to Germany in May. "