The 2027 IIHF Women’s World Championship Final is scheduled for late November 2027 at Centre Vidéotron in Quebec City, Canada. The gold medal game is the climax of the annual world championship and decides the most prestigious title in women’s international ice hockey outside the Winter Olympics. Quebec City was confirmed as host by the IIHF, with the 2027 tournament marking the championship’s move to a new November window.
What is the IIHF Women’s World Championship Final?
The IIHF Women’s World Championship is an annual international ice hockey tournament for women’s national teams, organised by the International Ice Hockey Federation. The Top Division features the world’s leading ten nations competing for the gold medal across two weeks of preliminary round, quarter-final, semi-final and medal games. The tournament has been held annually since 1990, with breaks only for Olympic years until recent format changes.
The final game is played between the two semi-final winners and decides the world champion. Bronze and gold medal games are played on the same day, with the gold medal game scheduled in the prime evening slot. The tournament is the marquee event in the women’s hockey calendar outside the Winter Olympics, drawing strong crowds in traditional hockey nations and significant television audiences in North America and Europe.
When is the IIHF Women’s World Championship Final 2027?
The 2027 championship moves to a new November slot following IIHF format changes designed to align the schedule with the new Professional Women’s Hockey League season. The tournament is scheduled for November 2027, with the final on the closing Sunday of the competition. The exact dates and full schedule are confirmed by the IIHF closer to the tournament.
Where is the Final?
Centre Vidéotron in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada hosts the 2027 IIHF Women’s World Championship. The arena, which opened in 2015 and has a capacity of 18,259, was built as part of Quebec City’s bid to attract an NHL franchise and regularly hosts major international and junior hockey events. Quebec City last hosted the IIHF Women’s World Championship in 2008. Hockey Canada is staging the event as part of an extended hosting agreement that includes five IIHF women’s championships through 2030.
Key Contenders
The IIHF Women’s World Championship has been dominated by Canada and the United States since the tournament’s inception in 1990. Between them, the two North American powerhouses have won every gold medal in the tournament’s history except for one, when the United States lost in the bronze medal game in 2019. Canada and the United States have met in 22 of 23 gold medal games. Both teams will be considered favourites to reach the 2027 final.
Outside North America, the leading European nations include Finland, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Sweden and Germany. Finland has won bronze multiple times and is typically the third-strongest team. The Czech Republic has emerged as a rising force, claiming back-to-back bronze medals. Japan, the highest-ranked Asian nation, also competes in the Top Division.
How to Watch
In Canada, TSN and RDS hold the broadcast rights, with full coverage of every Canada game and the medal round. In the United States, NHL Network and ESPN+ stream coverage of US games and the medal round. In Finland, Yle broadcasts the tournament. In Switzerland, SRF carries Swiss matches. In the Czech Republic, ČT Sport covers the event. In the United Kingdom, FreeSports has previously held rights. International viewers can stream selected matches via the IIHF’s official streaming partners.
History and Records
The first IIHF Women’s World Championship was held in Ottawa in 1990, with Canada winning the gold medal. Canada has won the tournament more times than any other nation, with multiple titles spread across the 1990s, 2000s and 2010s. The United States has been world champion a comparable number of times, including a run of dominance in the 2010s. Finland has won bronze on numerous occasions.
The Canada and United States rivalry defines the women’s championship. Their 2021 final in Calgary, won by Canada in overtime, is widely regarded as one of the greatest games in the tournament’s history. Hilary Knight of the United States holds the record for most career championship goals.
Tickets and Attendance
Tickets for the 2027 championship in Quebec City are sold via Hockey Canada and the official tournament website. Tournament packages, day tickets and gold medal game tickets are available. The medal round games typically sell out quickly, with the gold medal game between Canada and the United States the most sought-after ticket of the tournament.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the IIHF Women’s World Championship 2027 start?
The 2027 championship is scheduled for November 2027 in Quebec City, with the final on the closing Sunday of the tournament. Exact dates are confirmed by the IIHF closer to the event.
Where is the IIHF Women’s World Championship Final being held?
Centre Vidéotron, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada.
How can I watch the IIHF Women’s World Championship Final?
TSN and RDS in Canada, NHL Network and ESPN+ in the United States, Yle in Finland, SRF in Switzerland.
Who won the last IIHF Women’s World Championship?
Canada and the United States have won every IIHF Women’s World Championship in the tournament’s history bar minor exceptions. The most recent champion will defend their title in Quebec City.