(Lausanne, Switzerland) – The Court of Arbitration for Sport has ordered Russian teams admitted to five international hockey championships, including the world junior tournament in Canada from December 26, 2026, to January 5, 2027.

The October 30 ruling set aside the International Ice Hockey Federation Council's exclusion decision with immediate effect. CAS said the panel found insufficient evidence supporting the federation's safety and security arguments under its applicable regulations.

The order also covers the 2027 men's championship in Germany, the women's championship in Canada in November, and the men's and women's under-18 championships in the United States and Czech Republic respectively.

CAS said the operative award's written grounds would follow. The panel did not order a neutrality regime or decide organizational consequences, which were outside the appeal. Its media release is an explanatory summary, rather than the binding written decision.

The IIHF said it disagrees with the ruling and still considers its safety and competition-integrity concerns unresolved. It said it would comply with CAS while urgently assessing how to implement the decision.

That work involves national federations, organizers and host authorities, with formats, schedules, travel, accommodation and security among the issues requiring coordination. The IIHF said further practical arrangements would be announced later.

The ruling therefore establishes an admission order; it does not itself confirm revised groups, travel arrangements or the symbols under which teams will compete.

Source: Court of Arbitration for Sport, October 30 media release, pages 1–2; International Ice Hockey Federation, October 30 statement.

Editorial illustration of hockey and sports arbitration; not a photograph of a tournament or hearing.