ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)
The international sporting spotlight will shine brightly on the UAE next spring after the nation successfully secured the rights to host the 2027 International Ice Hockey Federation World Championship Division II, Group A.
Following a highly competitive voting process at the IIHF Annual Congress in Zurich, Switzerland, the Emirati bid clinched the hosting rights with 14 votes, narrowly overcoming a strong challenge from Croatia, which garnered 11 votes.
Along with another co-related decision to give Kuwait City the hosting rights of the Division IV’s Group A, the decisions mark a significant milestones for the Gulf region.
The achievement solidifies the UAE’s burgeoning reputation as a world-class destination for winter sports and elite international competitions.
Scheduled to take place in Al Ain in April 2027, the championship represents a significant step up in the global ice hockey hierarchy for the UAE. The tournament operates on a promotion-and-relegation format, featuring six national teams competing in a single round-robin structure.
Over the course of the week-long event, each team will play five games, with the ultimate group winner earning promotion to Division I, Group B for the 2028 cycle, while the bottom-placed team faces relegation to Division II, Group B.
This high-stakes structure ensures a fierce level of competition, as the UAE national team looks to leverage home-ice advantage to rise further up the global rankings, building on their rapid ascent through the lower tiers of the IIHF over recent seasons.
The victory in Zurich carries an extra layer of redemption and prestige for the UAE Winter Sports Federation. The country had originally been awarded the hosting rights for the 2026 edition of the tournament, which was subsequently withdrawn by the international governing body due to scheduling challenges.
Rather than dampening local spirits, the deferral allowed the Emirati delegation, led by Vice President Hamel Al Qubaisi, Secretary General Jumaa Al Dhaheri, and Technical Director Mohamad Aljachi, to fine-tune their technical, operational and organisational frameworks.
Choosing Al Ain as the battleground for this global showcase is a calculated and poetic choice. Known traditionally as the Garden City, Al Ain has recently transformed into the epicentre of Emirati sporting pride, primarily driven by the historic, all-conquering exploits of its football club.
The city’s football giants recently captivated the continent by capturing the prestigious AFC Champions League title, defeating Asia’s finest clubs in a relentless campaign that brought immense global visibility to the city.
By bringing the IIHF World Championship to Al Ain, the UAE Winter Sports Federation aims to tap into this existing culture of athletic excellence and passionate local support.
Reflecting on the achievement, Al Qubaisi emphasised that the triumph was the direct result of the unwavering support extended to the sports sector by the UAE’s leadership. He noted that winning the bid against an established European ice hockey nation like Croatia stands as a testament to the advanced status winter sports have achieved within the desert nation.
With state-of-the-art ice facilities ready and an organising committee backed by the nation’s proven track record of handling global events, Al Ain is well-positioned to deliver an unprecedented winter sports spectacle.