In brief

• The Court of Arbitration for Sport overturned the IIHF's exclusion of Russian hockey teams from international events in the 2026–27 season, effective immediately.
• The panel found the IIHF's security arguments were not backed by sufficient evidence and heard the case on 23 and 26 October.
• The ruling covers five tournaments, from the Youth World Championship in December 2026 to the Women's World Championship in November 2027, and the IIHF said it will comply.

Court overturns IIHF exclusion

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne upheld an appeal by the Russian Ice Hockey Federation on 30 October. It annulled the IIHF Council's decision to keep Russian teams out of international competition in the 2026–27 season, and the ruling takes effect immediately. (Російським хокеїстам дозволили повернутися на міжнародні турніри: в Україні відреагували – UNIAN) (Спортивний арбітражний суд зобов’язав допустити хокейні збірні РФ до міжнародних змагань – Espreso) (Скандальное решение CAS: Россию допустили к международным хоккейным турнирам – NV)

The panel heard the case on 23 and 26 October. It unanimously found that the IIHF had not supported its security concerns with sufficient evidence. Under IIHF rules, only properly justified security threats can justify barring athletes of a particular nationality. CAS did not set a neutral status for Russian athletes or impose additional organizational conditions on them.

Background of the dispute

In January 2026 the IIHF Council decided not to readmit Russian teams, citing safety risks. The Russian federation challenged that decision. In May the IIHF Disciplinary Board annulled it and ordered a fresh review. In June the Council reaffirmed the exclusion, and the parties then agreed to send the dispute directly to CAS.

Events covered by the ruling

The decision applies to five tournaments:

• Youth World Championship, Canada: 26 December 2026 to 5 January 2027
• Women's U18 World Championship, Czechia: 8–16 January 2027
• Men's U18 World Championship, United States: 22 April to 2 May 2027
• Men's World Championship, Germany: 14–30 May 2027
• Women's World Championship, Canada: November 2027

IIHF response

The IIHF said it was disappointed by the ruling but will act in line with it. The federation maintained that its measures were needed to protect all participants and the integrity of competitions, and that the ruling does not remove those concerns. («Выражаем разочарование». Международная федерация хоккея сделала заявление после решения CAS о возвращении России в хоккей – NV)

It also warned that the decision has significant practical consequences for events already well advanced in preparation. Formats, schedules and coordination with national federations, organizing committees and host-country authorities will all need to be revised.

Ukrainian reaction

The Ukrainian Ice Hockey Federation, headed by Serhiy Mazur, said it was strongly disappointed with the CAS decision. The federation is seeking a meeting with IIHF leadership. («Категорично розчаровані»: у ФХУ відреагували на рішення CAS зобов'язати IIHF повернути росіян до міжнародних турнірів – Suspilne)