Russia lost the right to host the 2023 World Hockey Championships. The International Hockey Federation will choose a replacement host country in Tampere in May.
A replacement organizer will soon be sought for next spring’s World Hockey Championships. The International Hockey Federation decided on Tuesday to withdraw the tournament from Russia. The Games were to be held in St. Petersburg from 5 to 21 October. May 2023.
Chairman of the Finnish Hockey Association Harri Nummelan according to the organization of the Games.
– The Hockey Association has decided in its own board that we are ready to discuss the possibility of holding the Games in the spring of 2023 in Finland.
According to Nummela, Finland would be ready for this as the organizer of this spring’s race, but the schedule is tight.
– Organizing the Games with a one-year notice period is no big deal for Finland or any other country. There is a lot to discuss and consider here.
The International Hockey Federation is in talks with countries that are interested in acting as a substitute organizer. Nummela believes that the discussions will start on a fast schedule.
– We do not have precise information on which countries are interested. I assume there are other interested countries.
According to Nummela, the Games are likely to be of interest to countries where the World Cup has been held recently or will be held in the coming years.
Shared races are also possible
After the discussions, the Board of the International Hockey Federation will present its decision proposal to the annual meeting in Tampere in May.
According to Harri Nummela, President of the Finnish Hockey Association, Finland has the advantage of a good and reliable reputation as an organizer of international events. This spring’s Games will increase the credibility of any application.
According to Nummela, it is also possible that the race will be split.
– Usually, the World Hockey Championships are held in only one country. History is also familiar with shared competitions where two countries co-organize.
Nummela does not want to speculate on possible locations in the spring of 2023. Tampere is probably a strong candidate.
– Tampere has a first-class new arena and during the playoffs it has been noticed that Tampere, if any, is a puck city with a big K.
Mayor of Tampere: “Let’s come”
Mayor of Tampere Anna-Kaisa Ikonen (Kok.) Confirms that other home races are of interest.
– Of course, the matter has now come to light. Yes, we certainly have the readiness to do so, if the opportunity arises.
Ikonen believes that Tampere will give screens in this spring’s competitions that speak for themselves. The new Tampere arena is also an asset.
– We’re a city to do. If the races were given to us, then they would be put in, says Mayor Ikonen.
Would there then be room for other World Championships in Tampere’s new puck sanctuary? At least the Tampere Arena online calendar looks empty for May 2023. Sales Director Elina Tikkakoski responds via email that cannot comment on an individual event.
– We are in constant negotiations about the events of the coming years with various event organizers. For example, concert announcements and sales are always things scheduled by the event organizer.
According to Tikkakoski, big world tours and other heavy large-scale productions start a bit slow. Tikkakoski says in his e-mail reply that spring 2023 will be full of various major events from side to side.
What do you think? Should the World Cup be held next year as well? You can comment until Thursday at 11 p.m.