Sports court readmits Russia to IIHF events, prompting boycotts and sponsor threats

Court overturns the ban

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) published a ruling on Friday, 30 October 2026 that upheld an appeal by the Russian Ice Hockey Federation (RIHF) against its exclusion from International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) events in the 2026-27 season. The IIHF had cited safety and security concerns when it kept the Russian association out after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. CAS said those concerns were not supported by sufficient evidence and ordered Russia's immediate return to competition, as early as the World Junior Championship in Canada, due at the end of 2026. The court added that the negative consequences of a return, and the question of a neutral status for Russian teams, were neither backed by sufficient evidence nor requested by the IIHF during the proceedings. The ruling also applies to the 2027 world championship in Germany, scheduled for May 2027.

Federations and sponsors push back

The IIHF expressed disappointment right after the ruling, but by Wednesday, 4 November, it argued in a second statement that the court had significantly underestimated the consequences, including the practical and sporting challenges. Its concerns cover visas, security, logistics and the tournament format. On Thursday, 5 November, CAS rejected that criticism and stressed how it reaches its decisions.

“as an independent sports arbitration institution, rulings are made on the legal substance of an appeal and on the sole basis of the arguments and evidence submitted”

The court said both federations had agreed to settle the dispute at CAS and knew the legal questions and the consequences of the appeal being upheld or dismissed. IIHF president Franz Reindl had earlier said he was surprised by the consequences of the ruling and by how quickly it would take effect. Finland, the world champion, together with Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Latvia and Czechia, said it would not play against Russia, and Austria has now joined them, which means seven of the 16 teams at the world championship will refuse to face Russia. Finnish federation president Heikki Hietanen said Finland would not play Russia while the war in Ukraine continues. Austrian managing director Alexander Helwig told AP that, as things stood, his federation would certainly not play against Russia. Long-standing sponsors of the world championship have said they want to withdraw, and main sponsor Skoda, a partner for more than 30 years, will reassess its commitment if Russia plays. Russian President Vladimir Putin praised the ruling in a cabinet meeting broadcast on Russian television, saying it upheld the Olympic Charter, while claiming the restrictions on Russian sport remain political rather than legal in nature.

Governments weigh visas and hosting

Germany's federal government criticised the ruling sharply and said Russian national players could be refused visas for entry. Canadian prime minister Mark Carney had already announced that approach for the World Junior Championship at the end of 2026, and the Canadian government said it would not let the Russian team enter the country. Frank Lutz, board chairman of the Deutsche Eishockey-Bund (DEB), did not rule out giving up the hosting role for the May 2027 tournament. Germany is reported to be considering handing back the event, and the DEB sees its tournament at risk.

Switzerland holds off on a boycott

Swiss Ice Hockey president Marc Lüthi, elected at the end of August, made an early comment on the matter, saying he personally views the ruling critically. He said:

“We condemn wars of aggression and do not accept them, but at the moment we are not on the political level but on the sporting level.”

Switzerland will not call for a boycott. Lüthi said the IIHF must decide the next steps first and expects that decision within a week, after which the Swiss federation will decide in consultation with politics and official Switzerland. He called it premature to speculate about consequences for Switzerland while open questions remain, including under which conditions Russia could take part and whether the reasons for exclusion still exist. The statement came only minutes before Switzerland's first season game against Finland at the Euro Hockey Tour.

Open questions

The IIHF Council is still deliberating, and no decision has been made on whether and how Russia will play in May. CAS has not yet published its full written reasoning for the ruling. The next decision point is the IIHF's response to the ruling, which Lüthi expects within a week.