AIHF to Propose Yerevan as a Backup Host City for the 2027 IIHF World Championship Division IV Group A

Yerevan will be proposed as a backup host city for the IIHF World Championship Division IV Group A. Aram Sargsyan, Secretary General of the Armenian Ice Hockey Federation (AIHF), said the initiative was prompted by the unstable situation in the Persian Gulf region. The tournament is scheduled to take place in Kuwait from April 20 to 26, 2027.

The AIHF will propose Yerevan as an alternative host venue for the tournament at the IIHF Semi-Annual Congress, which will take place in Tenerife from September 29 to October 2. AIHF Secretary General Aram Sargsyan said that, if the proposal is approved by the IIHF, the final decision on the host location of the World Championship Division IV Group A is expected to be made around February.

“We already have experience hosting a tournament of this kind: Armenia hosted the Division IV World Championship in 2025. Given the continuing risks in the Persian Gulf region, I believe it is right to propose an alternative option in advance. Everyone wants to play hockey, and it would be very unfortunate if the tournament were cancelled for a second consecutive year,” Aram Sargsyan said.

If the initiative is approved, Yerevan will receive the status of a backup venue for the tournament. Preparatory work will then be carried out in case the IIHF determines that security risks make it impossible to hold the tournament in Kuwait, Sargsyan explained.

Kuwait hosted the Division IV World Championship in 2024. The country was also due to host the tournament in 2026, but the competition was cancelled by the IIHF due to the situation in the region.

In 2027, the national teams of India and Morocco have been admitted to the World Championship. Division IV will consist of two groups. Armenia, Kuwait, Indonesia and Singapore will compete in Group A. Group B will be held in Malaysia, with the host nation joined by Iran, India and Morocco.