German Ice Hockey Federation Considers Returning World Championship

The German Ice Hockey Federation (DEB) is weighing the possibility of returning the upcoming World Championship due to potential financial risks and security concerns surrounding the prospective participation of Russia. Scheduled for next May across Düsseldorf, Mannheim, and Gelsenkirchen, the tournament has unexpectedly become a political and economic issue for sports organizers.

DEB Chief Executive Officer Frank H. Lutz discussed the difficult situation during an interview at MagentaTV, stating that while he hopes to avoid worst-case scenarios, the organization must responsibly examine all options. "I don't want to paint a bleak picture, nor do I want to question the World Championship, but of course we as the DEB have to deal with the option that we will return this World Championship," Lutz remarked.

The core of the issue stems from a recent Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruling that immediately cleared Russia to return to International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) competitions. According to Lutz, reintegrating Russia would introduce substantial new financial burdens, particularly regarding security measures that carry entirely different levels of relevance and cost compared to previous plans.

Because these expenses could easily exceed the economic limits of the federation, Lutz stressed that the matter goes beyond sports administration. "We cannot enter into a financial risk that we can no longer manage. I believe that we will find a solution, I am very optimistic," he said, though he added that he could not guarantee the tournament will proceed as planned in May.

Lutz announced plans to travel to Berlin next week to meet with government officials, acknowledging that the path forward relies heavily on political decisions. The federal government will need to clarify how far it is willing to go regarding national entry rules and security backing, echoing similar stances taken internationally. For instance, Canada recently announced it would not issue visas to Russian teams for the upcoming U20 World Championship held at year's end.

Before national decisions are finalized, however, the IIHF must determine the official structure of the tournament's participant field and adjust the game schedule accordingly. Former German president Franz Reindl announced that an IIHF council meeting will convene early next week to address these developments. DEB leadership emphasizes that clarity is needed as soon as possible to understand how the international competition will be shaped going forward.