Arbitration Court Rules Russian Teams Eligible for IIHF Events
The Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne, Switzerland, ruled that Russian teams must be allowed to participate in International Ice Hockey Federation events, including world championships, overturning previous exclusions for the 2026-27 season.
Wichita Falls & Lawton, TX, October 30, 2026 —
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), based in Lausanne, Switzerland, has issued a ruling mandating the participation of Russian teams in International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) events. This decision overturns previous exclusions previously imposed on Russian athletes and teams.
According to the CAS ruling, Russian teams are now eligible to compete in IIHF-sanctioned competitions, including the sport’s world championships. The eligibility is set to commence for the 2026-27 season.
The ruling by the CAS addresses the status of Russian participation following earlier decisions by the IIHF to exclude Russian teams from international competitions. The specifics of the previous exclusions and the grounds upon which they were based were not detailed in the available information. The Court of Arbitration for Sport is the world’s highest court in the field of sport, handling disputes that arise in connection with arbitration under the auspices of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and other international sports federations.
IIHF events represent a significant platform for international ice hockey competition, culminating in the annual IIHF World Championship, which typically features national teams from member federations. The inclusion or exclusion of major ice hockey nations like Russia has historically had a notable impact on the competitive landscape of these tournaments.
The timeline for the implementation of this ruling is for the 2026-27 season, meaning that Russian teams will be able to seek qualification and participate in events commencing from that period forward, provided they meet other standard IIHF participation requirements. The IIHF’s response to the ruling and any subsequent steps it may take were not immediately available.
Story summarized from the original created by Associated Press on www.texomashomepage.com, see more information here.
