The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) has released the schedule of the 2020 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship in Halifax and Truro at the 2019 IIHF Semi-Annual Congress. 

At the same time, tournament hosts Hockey Canada and Hockey Nova Scotia officially launched the ticket sale, with two packages now available for purchase.

The tournament will take place from 31 March to 10 April 2020. It will be the second Women’s Worlds with ten teams and two tiered groups in the preliminary round.

The Scotiabank Centre in Halifax will host Group A, two quarter-final games, all semi-final and medal games. Host Canada will launch the tournament on 31 March in Halifax against Finland at 19:30 local time – a rematch of last spring’s semi-final. Four hours earlier defending champion United States will open at the venue against Switzerland. Russia, the other team in the group, will start the tournament on Day 2 against the Swiss.

The Rath Eastlink Community Centre in Truro will serve as secondary venue and host all Group B games, two quarter-final games and the placement games. Hungary, the Division I champion that was promoted to play for the first time at the top-level Women’s Worlds, will play the first game of the tournament on 31 March at 13:00 against the Czech Republic. Germany vs. Japan will be the late game in Truro. Denmark, the other promoted team, starts the tournament on 1 April against Hungary.

The preliminary round concludes on Sunday, 5 April will a rivalry between the two North American countries, Canada and the United States.

The quarter-finals will be played on 7 April at both venues including the five teams from the “upper” Group A and the top-three teams from Group B. Canada will play the late game in Halifax while the United States will also get their quarter-final at the Scotiabank Centre.

The tournament will continue with the semi-finals and medal games in Halifax on 9 and 10 April respectively. The losing quarter-final teams will continue the tournament with placement games in Truro on the same days to determine the 5th-ranked team that will be seeded in Group A for 2021. The two last-ranked teams of Group B will be relegated.

Click here for the full game schedule.

Ticket packages on sale

Nova Scotia is buzzing with excitement, embracing the slogan “It’s Our Time” as Halifax and Truro prepare to host the world’s best. Hockey Canada and Hockey Nova Scotia announced Wednesday that fans can take advantage of two ticket-package options now available here.

A 17-game pack for Halifax includes one Team Canada pre-competition game, 10 preliminary-round games, two quarter-finals, two semifinals, and the gold and bronze medal games. This package guarantees four Team Canada games and can be purchased for as low as $299, plus applicable fees. 

Truro offers a 16-game package, including one Team Canada pre-competition game, 10 preliminary-round games, two quarter-finals and three placement games for as low as $99, plus fees. In addition, Truro offers an option for fans to add four Halifax games (two semifinals and the medal games) for $179, plus fees. 

Click here for the ticket packages. For any questions on the ticket options, contact Hockey Canada at 1-844-977-3629 or [email protected]. 

“Once again, Nova Scotia will serve as the stage for the world’s best women’s hockey players,” said Grant MacDonald, general manager of the 2020 IIHF Ice Hockey Women’s World Championship. “With the mix of game times, venues in two communities and pricing, there is something for everyone as Nova Scotia provides the backdrop for an unparalleled player experience that will inspire every Nova Scotian and the next generation of hockey players.”

The championship will not only showcase the best players in the world but will also support the growth of the women’s game through a lasting legacy. In previous years, an event of this magnitude had a significant economic impact on the community; British Columbia (2016) benefitted from $7.4 million throughout the province, with $6.2 million being generated in Kamloops. Ontario returned $14.3 million to the province in 2013, with $8.8 million in the host city of Ottawa.

“This is a unique opportunity for hockey fans in our province to be part of a world-class event and show their support for some of the very best hockey players from not only this country, but from around the world,” said Amy Walsh, executive director Hockey Nova Scotia. “This tournament will showcase the pinnacle of women’s hockey and we know it will inspire women and girls from one end of Nova Scotia to the other to fall in love with our game.”

TSN and RDS, the official broadcast partners of Hockey Canada will provide extensive coverage throughout the tournament. The signal will be aired in most of the other participating nations as well. Details will be announced at a later date.

For more information make sure to return to the official website 2020.womensworlds.hockey available in English and French.