The 2026 IIHF Women’s World Championship Division I tournaments are set to ignite this April. With Olympic momentum fresh in the air and a mix of seasoned veterans and rising superstars, the battle for promotion to the Top Division has never been more intense.
Division I, Group A: The Battle in Budapest
Location: Budapest, Hungary | Arena: Tüskecsarnok | Dates: April 12–18, 2026
The eyes of the hockey world turn to Hungary, where the hosts look to bounce back immediately after being relegated from the Top Division. The competition in Group A is notoriously tight, with four of the six teams having played at the elite level within the last two years.
“Where nations clash and dreams skate toward glory — the 2026 IIHF Women’s Division I Championships begin!”
The Contenders
Hungary (Hosts): Playing at the Tüskecsarnok, the Hungarians are favorites to reclaim a spot in the Top Division. While they are transitioning away from legends like Fanni Gasparics, young talents like Emma Kreisz and Zsofia Pazmandi are expected to lead the charge.
Norway: Returning to 1A via relegation, Norway brings a physical, Swedish-inspired style of play. Goaltender Ena Nystrøm remains one of the best in the tournament, capable of stealing any game.
Italy: Fresh off a historic run to the Olympic quarterfinals in Milan, the Italians arrive with sky-high confidence. Expect the dual-passport core, including Laura Fortino and Justine Reyes, to play heavy minutes alongside PWHL Montreal defender Nadia Mattivi.
Slovakia: The “dark horse” of the group. With 18-year-old phenom Nela Lopušanová—who continues to shatter scoring records—the Slovaks have the offensive firepower to upset the favorites.
France: Looking to wash away a disappointing Olympic finish, France relies on the scoring touch of Estelle Duvin and the experience of Chloe Aurard-Bushee.
China: In a transitional phase focusing on homegrown talent, China faces a steep climb. All eyes will be on NCAA standout Jiahui (Grace) Zhan in net to keep them competitive.
Division I, Group B: The Spanish Showdown
Location: Puigcerdà, Spain | Arena: Polisportiu | Dates: April 12–18, 2026
While Group A fights for the elite tier, Group B is a tactical battleground where parity is the name of the game. Spain plays host in the Pyrenees, welcoming a diverse group of nations each looking for that single promotion spot to Group A.
The Field
Spain (Hosts): Spain is making its Division I debut after earning promotion from Division II, Group A in 2025. Riding the energy of the home crowd in Puigcerdà, Spain has steadily climbed the IIHF ranks. Their defensive structure will be tested by the speed of the Asian and Eastern European programs.
South Korea & Kazakhstan: Both teams bring a disciplined, high-pace style of hockey. Kazakhstan looks to return to its former glory, while Korea continues to integrate youth from its developing domestic programs.
Great Britain: The Brits have shown significant growth in their women’s program. They often rely on strong goaltending and a “never-say-die” work ethic to grind out results in tight games.
Latvia & Netherlands: These two European mainstays often decide the middle of the pack. The Netherlands, led by veteran leadership, will look to use their size advantage, while Latvia relies on tactical execution.
Key Storylines to Watch
The “Lopušanová” Factor: Can the Slovak teenager carry her team to a promotion against seasoned Olympic veterans?
Olympic Hangover or Momentum?Italy and France are coming off a grueling February. Whether that experience translates to dominance in Budapest will be the tournament’s biggest question.
Home Ice Advantage: Both Hungary and Spain have invested heavily in hosting. In short round-robin formats, the local crowd often acts as the “seventh player” during crucial third periods.
Tournament Schedule (Local Times)
Opening Day (April 12):
1A: Slovakia vs. Norway (12:30), China vs. France (16:00), Hungary vs. Italy (19:30)
1B: Korea vs. Great Britain (13:00), Kazakhstan vs. Latvia (16:30), Spain vs. Netherlands (20:00)
