2025 IIHF Women’s World Championship Schedule

Key Takeaways

📅 Dates: April 9–20, 2025

📍 Location: Budvar Arena, České Budějovice, Czechia

🏆 Format: 10 national teams, Group A and B round-robin, followed by knockout rounds

🏒Group A: Canada, USA, Finland, Czechia, Switzerland

🏒Group B: Sweden, Germany, Japan, Norway, Hungary

🇨🇦 Defending Champs: Canada

🆚 Opening Games: Sweden vs Germany, Finland vs USA, Czechia vs Switzerland

🥇 Final: April 20, 2025 – Budvar Arena, České Budějovice

📺 How to Watch: Broadcasts and streams available internationally (details below)

🎟️ Tickets: Available now via the official IIHF platform and safe and fast resale available on TicketSwap

Related: 2025 IIHF Men’s World Championship Schedule

Tournament Overview and Structure

The 2025 IIHF Women’s World Championship will unfold in České Budějovice, a lively Czech city known for its beer, history, and now—world-class hockey.

This year’s tournament features 10 elite national teams, split into two groups:

• Group A: Canada, Czechia, Finland, Switzerland, United States

• Group B: Germany, Hungary, Japan, Norway, Sweden

Each team will battle through a round-robin group stage from April 9 to April 15. After that, the real drama begins—with the top teams advancing to the quarterfinals.

Here’s how it breaks down:

• Top 4 in Group A + Top 3 in Group B + Best 4th from B → Quarterfinals

• Bottom 2 teams overall → Relegated to Division I Group A in 2026

All games will take place at Budvar Arena, with fans traveling from all over the world to watch the action live.

Full Match Schedule – Group Stage

Here’s your day-by-day breakdown of every game from the 2025 IIHF Women’s World Championship group stage. 

All matches are played at Budvar Arena in local Czech time (CEST, UTC+2).

🗓️ Wednesday, April 9

• Sweden vs Germany – 11:00

• Finland vs USA – 15:00

• Czechia vs Switzerland – 19:00

🗓️ Thursday, April 10

• Norway vs Hungary – 11:00

• USA vs Canada – 15:00

• Japan vs Germany – 19:00

🗓️ Friday, April 11

• Czechia vs Finland – 11:00

• Switzerland vs Sweden – 15:00

• Canada vs Switzerland – 19:00

🗓️ Saturday, April 12

• Hungary vs Japan – 11:00

• Germany vs Norway – 15:00

• USA vs Czechia – 19:00

🗓️ Sunday, April 13

• Finland vs Canada – 11:00

• Sweden vs Japan – 15:00

• Norway vs Sweden – 19:00

🗓️ Monday, April 14

• Switzerland vs Finland – 11:00

• Germany vs Hungary – 15:00

• Czechia vs Canada – 19:00

🗓️ Tuesday, April 15

• Japan vs Norway – 11:00

• USA vs Switzerland – 15:00

• Hungary vs Sweden – 19:00

💡 Pro tip: Bookmark this schedule or add your favorite match dates to your calendar so you don’t miss a second of the action.

Knockout Rounds: Quarterfinals, Semifinals & Finals

Once the group stage wraps up, it’s all or nothing. The top teams will face off in the elimination rounds, where every shift could be the difference between glory and going home.

Here’s how the final stretch unfolds:

🗓️ Thursday, April 17 – Quarterfinals

The top eight teams clash, with matchups based on final group rankings.

• Game 1: 1A vs 4B

• Game 2: 2A vs 3B

• Game 3: 3A vs 2B

• Game 4: 4A vs 1B

(Times and pairings TBA once group play is completed)

🗓️ Saturday, April 19 – Semifinals

The four quarterfinal winners move on to the semis:

• Semifinal 1: Winner Game 1 vs Winner Game 4

• Semifinal 2: Winner Game 2 vs Winner Game 3

Expect major drama, rivalries reignited, and maybe a Cinderella story or two.

🗓️ Sunday, April 20 – Medal Games

• 🥉 Bronze Medal Game – Afternoon

• 🥇 Gold Medal Game – Evening

The championship wraps up on April 20 with the ultimate showdown—one team will be crowned world champions.

🎫 Thinking of attending live? Tickets are available now and sell out fast for knockout games. Keep an eye on TicketSwap for resales and last-minute deals.

Where to Watch the 2025 IIHF Women’s World Championship

Can’t make it to Czechia? No worries—every game will be broadcast or streamed, so you won’t miss a moment of the action no matter where you are in the world.

🌍 Global Broadcast Partners (Expected)

• Canada: TSN / RDS

• USA: NHL Network

• Czechia & Europe: Czech TV, Eurosport

• Scandinavia: Viaplay, Yle (Finland), SVT (Sweden), NRK (Norway)

• Asia: NHK (Japan)

🖥️ Livestreams: The IIHF will provide global access via their official IIHF Live site and YouTube channels in regions without broadcast rights.

📲 Tip: Use a VPN if the games aren’t available in your country—just make sure it’s a legal and reputable service.

⏰ Time Zones: All matches are in Central European Summer Time (CEST). Use a world clock or event reminder tool to stay synced.

🎧 Want the full experience? Many streams also offer multilingual commentary, behind-the-scenes content, and highlight reels.

Top Players to Watch at the 2025 Women’s Worlds

Some of the biggest names in international hockey are set to light up the ice in České Budějovice. From seasoned pros to breakout rookies, these are the players you'll want to keep your eyes on.

🇨🇦 Canada

• Marie-Philip Poulin – The captain returns with her legendary clutch scoring.

• Sarah Fillier – A rising star with silky hands and speed to burn.

🇺🇸 USA

• Hilary Knight – A veteran powerhouse with multiple golds and unmatched experience.

• Taylor Heise – Electric in transition, lethal on the power play.

🇫🇮 Finland

• Jenni Hiirikoski – The iron-woman of Finnish defense, playing in her 14th World Championship.

• Viivi Vainikka – The young sniper building a reputation for game-winners.

🇨🇿 Czechia

• Klára Peslarová – Goaltending phenom and local hero.

• Natalie Mlynkova – Speed, precision, and a deadly wrister.

🇸🇪 Sweden

• Maja Nylén Persson – Leading the blue line with vision and versatility.

Visiting Czechia for the Championship? Here’s What You Need to Know

Heading to České Budějovice for the games? Here’s how to make the most of your trip.

🏟️ Budvar Arena

• Capacity: ~6,400

• Located near the city center—easily accessible by tram or on foot

• Food stalls, beer gardens, and fan zones will be active throughout the tournament

🏨 Where to Stay

• Hotels close to the arena: Hotel Savoy, Clarion Congress, Residence U Černé Věže

• For budget options, look into nearby hostels or Airbnbs

🥨 What to Do Between Matches

• Tour the Budweiser Budvar Brewery

• Stroll the picturesque Piarist Square

• Take a day trip to Český Krumlov, a fairytale town just 30 minutes away

✈️ The closest major airport is in Prague—about 2 hours away by train or car.

🏒 Pro tip: Many local pubs will be screening games with Czech commentary—join in for the atmosphere.

Frequently Asked Questions – 2025 IIHF Women’s World Championship

1. When does the IIHF Women’s World Championship 2025 start?

It kicked off on April 9, 2025, with three exciting group stage matches.

2. Where is the tournament being held?

All games are hosted at Budvar Arena in České Budějovice, Czechia.

3. How many teams are competing?

There are 10 national teams, split into Group A and Group B.

4. How does the tournament format work?

Teams play round-robin within their groups. The top 8 advance to quarterfinals; bottom 2 are relegated.

5. Where can I buy tickets?

Tickets are available through the IIHF’s official site and local partners. You can also check TicketSwap for resale tickets.

6. Will the games be streamed?

Yes! Many will be streamed live on national broadcasters and via the IIHF’s YouTube in select regions.

7. What teams are in Group A and B?

• Group A: Canada, USA, Finland, Czechia, Switzerland

• Group B: Sweden, Germany, Japan, Norway, Hungary

8. Who are the favorites to win gold?

Canada and USA are the perennial favorites, but Finland and Czechia are strong contenders.

9. What languages are broadcasts available in?

Expect commentary in English, Czech, French, Finnish, Japanese, and more depending on the region.

10. What time zone are the games in?

All times listed are in Central European Summer Time (CEST).

Final Thoughts: Don’t Miss a Moment of the Women’s Worlds

From opening day faceoffs to the gold medal celebration, the 2025 IIHF Women’s World Championship is set to deliver fast-paced action, unforgettable plays, and the electric energy only world-class women’s hockey can bring.

Whether you’re watching from your couch, a fan zone in Czechia, or the stands at Budvar Arena, this year’s tournament promises drama, passion, and national pride on full display.

🎟️ Still need tickets? Check official listings or grab safe ticket resales on TicketSwap. We are the go-to platform for last-minute sports tickets with no hassle.