The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) has announced significant changes to the women’s world hockey championships, increasing roster sizes to 22 skaters and three goalies, mirroring men's teams. These adjustments were made during the IIHF's semi-annual congress and will be implemented in the 2025 championship in Czechia, which will also revert to a "snake seeding" format to promote more balanced competition. Additionally, relegation games will determine which teams remain in the top tier of the tournament. The IIHF aims to enhance female representation in governance and explore adding three-on-three hockey to the Winter Olympics in 2030.

By the Numbers
  • Women's rosters increased from 20 to 22 skaters plus three goalies.
  • Next women's world championship is set for April 10, 2025, in Ceske Budejovice, Czechia.
Yes, But

While these changes aim to strengthen women's hockey, potential criticisms may arise regarding the effectiveness of the new seeding and relegation systems in truly leveling the competition, as past methods aimed at reducing lopsided scores did not fully resolve these issues.

State of Play
  • Canada is the defending champion, having won the 2024 title against the USA.
  • The 2025 women’s world under-18 championship will take place from January 5-12 in Finland.
What's Next

The IIHF is finalizing plans for introducing three-on-three hockey in the Winter Olympics, pending decision by the International Olympic Committee in March 2025, which would significantly expand athlete participation in the sport.

Bottom Line

The IIHF's reforms signal a pivotal moment for women's hockey, enhancing competition through roster increases and seeding changes while pushing for broader representation and Olympic inclusion, positioning the sport for growth and visibility in the coming years.