Slovakia to host first-ever Women’s World Championships

World Para Ice Hockey will make history this year when Dolny Kubin, Slovakia, hosts the first-ever Women’s World Championships. The tournament will feature six teams and will take place at the Winter Stadium from 26-31 August. 

The Dolny Kubin 2025 World Para Ice Hockey Women’s World Championships will see national teams from Australia, Canada, Great Britain, Norway, and the USA, alongside a Team World composed of players from various nations. 

“We are thrilled to welcome the first-ever World Para Ice Hockey Women’s Championships to Dolny Kubin. This will be a game-changer for the future of our sport, and we anticipate the reaction from our community to be incredibly supportive,” said Michelle Laflamme, World Para Ice Hockey Senior Manager. “With the ultimate goal of expanding female participation in Para ice hockey worldwide and applying for a women’s medal event to be considered for potential inclusion on a future edition of the Paralympic Winter Games programme, this is a landmark announcement for the sport.”

International Paralympic Committee (IPC) President Andrew Parsons praised the remarkable progress achieved by World Para Ice Hockey in the development of the sport among female athletes, coaches, and officials. 

“It is very important for the Paralympic Movement to have strong female representation, and the evolution of women’s Para ice hockey is a testimony to the transformative and inclusive power of Para sport,” Parsons said. “Two years ago, World Para Ice Hockey won the IPC International Women’s Day Recognition Awards in the International Federation category for their fantastic work in growing female participation in all areas of the game, on and off the ice. The Women’s World Championships is a major milestone in that process, and I hope to see more and more nations joining women’s Para ice hockey in the near future.”

Maros Cambal, Chief Executive Officer of the Slovak Paralympic Committee, said:

"We are incredibly proud that Slovakia will host the first-ever World Para Ice Hockey Women’s World Championships. Dolny Kubin has long been a hub for Para ice hockey development, and welcoming the world's top female athletes to compete here is a historic moment for the sport. This championships is a testament to the rapid growth of women’s Para ice hockey and a crucial step toward greater inclusion and recognition on the global stage. We look forward to an inspiring tournament that will showcase talent, determination, and the power of sport to break barriers."

Since 2022, World Para Ice Hockey has increased women's participation, rising from 0.01 percent to nearly 20 percent, anchored by the first two editions of the Women’s World Challenge held in Green Bay, USA. The tournament also featured an all-women officiating crew for the first time. The third edition of the Women’s World Challenge took place in Skien, Norway, last year with USA defending the title ahead of Canada.

The 2025 Women’s World Championships will feature round-robin play followed by a medal round. To be eligible, teams must consist of at least seven skaters, and goaltenders. Athletes must hold a valid license for the 2025–2026 season, and must meet the other applicable eligibility criteria, such as nationality, age, classification, among others. 

More information about the Dolny Kubin 2025 World Para Ice Hockey Women’s World Championships will be available on http://www.worldparaicehockey.org