As the international hockey year concludes in Sweden, USA has won World Championship gold for the first time since 1933. The annual IIHF congress also happens during the IIHF’s trademark yearly event. Poland was represented by PZHL President Mirosław Minkina and vice-president Adam Fras. The 2026 schedule reveal is one of the major items at the meeting, with Poland being awarded three events. We are still waiting for dates for when GKS Katowice will play in the Continental Cup, an annual club competition hosted by the IIHF. 

Men’s Division 1 Group A World Championship

Host City: Sosnowiec, Poland 

Dates: May 2nd-8th, 2026

Teams: France, Kazakhstan, Japan, Lithuania, Poland, and Ukraine 

Poland will stay in Division 1 Group A after a disappointing fifth place finish in 2025. The red and white will look for a better result on home ice as they will host the tournament in Sosnowiec. The group will have some interesting new faces after an extremely close event in 2025. France and Kazakhstan have been relegated from the top division, this is the first time France has been in Division 1 since 2007. Lithuania will be joining after earning promotion from Division 1 Group B.

Women’s Division 2 Group A World Championship

Host City: Bled, Slovenia

Dates: April 13th-19th, 2026

Teams: Australia, Chinese Taipei, DPR of Korea, Iceland, Poland, and Slovenia

Poland will be in Division 2 Group A for another year after an upset loss to Spain on home ice. Slovenia was relegated from Division 1 Group B and will take on hosting duties. Slovenia is in a hard spot after their longtime star goalie Pia Dukaric retired and they would allow 46 goals in five games in 2025. Australia is the newcomer after winning promotion from Division 2 Group B.

Men’s U20 Division 1 Group B World Championship  

Host City: Milan, Italy

Dates: December 8th – 14th, 2025

Teams: Estonia, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Lithuania, and Poland

Poland has been able to stay in Division 1 since the 2012 season, but that has come with some close calls in recent years. Last year it came down to the final day where they were able to beat South Korea to avoid relegation. Lithuania joins the group after promotion from Division 2, in the event they had a +34 goal differential. Hungary enters Group B after being relegated from Group A.

Men’s U18 Division 1 Group A World Championship 

Host City: Krynica, Poland

Dates: April 18th-24th, 2026

Teams: Hungary, Kazakhstan, Poland, Slovenia, Switzerland, and Ukraine

Poland saw historic back to back promotions after winning gold in 2024 and 2025. They are in Division 1 Group A for the first time in history. It will be a hard challenge for the new commers in Poland. Especially as the group is being joined by Switzerland who suffered a shocking relegation from the top division. This is their first time in Division 1 since 2006, and they’ll likely have 2027 top NHL draft prospect Jonah Neuenschwander.

Women’s U18 Division 1 Group B World Championship

Host City: Katowice Janów, Poland 

Dates: January 5th-11th, 2026

Teams: Australia, Austria, China, Great Britain, Poland, and Spain 

Poland has been so close to gold at this level for a while with medals in three straight years. With great classes in 2008, 2009, and 2010, the red and white are hoping this will finally be the year. Austria will be joining after relegation from Group A, they’re likely to bring a veteran rich team. Great Britain is back up in Division 1 for the first time since 2020. Naprzod Janów has been a growing club and have been inching towards a TLHK title, a lot of Poland’s best young talent has developed with the program. Now those players get to represent Poland on home ice.

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