The Court of Arbitration for Sport has overturned the International Ice Hockey Federation’s suspension of Russia, paving the way for Russian national teams to return to international competition. The Russian Ice Hockey Federation will be eligible to compete in IIHF events beginning with the 2026-27 season.
Return to International Play
The lifting of the ban represents a significant development for Russian ice hockey. Both the Russian men’s and women’s national teams will now be permitted to participate in international tournaments under IIHF governance from the start of the 2026-27 campaign.
The IIHF announced it would comply with the Court of Arbitration for Sport’s decision, though the federation expressed disappointment with the ruling. Despite accepting the verdict, the IIHF remains concerned about potential safety and logistical issues surrounding Russia’s reinstatement to international competition.
The timeline for Russia’s competitive return provides a window of approximately two years before the federation’s teams can resume participation in IIHF-sanctioned events. This delay from the current date until the 2026-27 season represents when Russian athletes will be permitted to compete at the international level once again.