2026 IIHF Ice Hockey Women's World Championship

From November 6 to 16, 2026, the world’s best women’s national ice hockey teams will gather in Denmark for the 2026 IIHF Women’s World Championship in Herning and Esbjerg.

2026 IIHF Women's World Championship

Photo: 2026 IIHF Women's World Championship

Ten nations will compete for the world title, and as host nation, Denmark will have the chance to play in front of a home crowd. In Herning, you can follow all of Denmark’s preliminary-round games and later experience the semi-finals, bronze medal game and World Championship final.

World Championship ice hockey in Herning

Herning will play a central role during the championship, with all Group B games taking place at Hockey Arena Herning.

The group consists of Denmark, Canada, Finland, Sweden and Japan. This gives spectators in Herning the opportunity to support the Danish national team on home ice and see some of the world’s leading ice hockey nations up close.

Herning has extensive experience as a host city for international ice hockey. The city previously hosted the men’s World Championship in 2018 and 2025, as well as the Women’s World Championship in 2022.

Once the preliminary round is complete, the tournament continues with the knockout stage. The quarter-finals are split between Herning and Esbjerg, while both semi-finals, the bronze medal game and the final will be played in Herning.

Support Denmark on home ice

Denmark will play all four preliminary-round games in Herning.

Friday, November 6, 2026 at 19:00
Denmark – Finland

Saturday, November 7, 2026 at 19:00
Japan – Denmark

Monday, November 9, 2026 at 19:00
Denmark – Canada

Tuesday, November 10, 2026 at 19:00
Sweden – Denmark

This gives Danish ice hockey fans four opportunities to come together, support the national team and enjoy the atmosphere in Herning.

Two Danish host cities

The 2026 IIHF Women’s World Championship will be held in Herning and Esbjerg.

Herning – Hockey Arena Herning
Group B will be played here, featuring Denmark, Canada, Finland, Sweden and Japan. Herning will also host part of the quarter-finals, both semi-finals, the bronze medal game and the final.

Esbjerg – Hockey Arena Esbjerg
Group A will be played here, featuring the USA, Czechia, Switzerland, Germany and Austria. Esbjerg will also host part of the quarter-finals.

The preliminary round runs from November 6 to 11. The quarter-finals take place on November 13, the semi-finals on November 15, and the world champions will be crowned after the final in Herning on November 16.

Welcome to Herning

If you are travelling to Herning for a World Championship game, there are plenty of opportunities to make more of your visit. Spend time before or after the game exploring the city, enjoy a meal together at one of the area’s restaurants or stay an extra night.

Herning and the surrounding area offer art, culture, nature, shopping and activities that are easy to combine with one or more days of ice hockey.

Photo: Hotel Eyde

Accommodation

Stay a little longer and get more out of your World Championship visit. In Herning and the surrounding area, you will find hotels, B&Bs, holiday homes and other accommodation options.

Sleep well

Photo: Stefan Steinn

Restaurants

Gather family or friends for a meal before the game, or round off your World Championship day at one of Herning’s restaurants and cafés. During major events, booking a table in advance may be a good idea.

Cafés and restaurants

Photo: Peter Rosbjerg

Activities and attractions

Whether you are coming to support Denmark, watch some of the world’s best women’s ice hockey players or be there when the world champions are crowned, you can combine the games with memorable experiences and quality time together in Herning.

Things to do

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Must-see attractions in Herning

A trip around Birk is a visit to a fantastic world of beautiful buildings, artworks and landscapes. Are you interested in learning more about the development of Herning, you will have to visit the Tekstilmuseet.

Photo: Allan Trolle© Ingvar Cronhammar

Elia

Elia is a big sculpture in Herning. Cronhammars giant skulpture, ELIA is a mark of the new millenium. But the sculpturer is also a manifest of the willpower and the courage to go new ways, which has embossed Herning through decades.

HEART - Herning Museum of Contemporary Art

HEART - Herning Museum of Contemporary Art has come as a borderland between art and profession and is driven forward by the country known shirt manufacturer Aage Damgaard, who has made the foundation…

Photo: VisitHerning

Carl-Henning Pedersen & Else Alfelts Museum

Carl-Henning Pedersen & Else Alfelts Museum is an artist museum built around a unique collection of the couple's works.

Photo: Ard Jongsma

Tekstilmuseet (The Textile Museum)

The textile industry has shaped Central Jutland like no other, and it continues to do so to this day. At Tekstilmuseet, people of all ages can experience and get insights into an industry that has dressed people all over the world and shaped the identity and development of Central Jutland.

Photo: Jannie Nyegaard

Tinghuset

The courthouse is built in Gothic style with pointed arches and jagged gables. The courthouse was completed in 1894, and it was listed in 1982.

Photo: VisitHerning

Herningsholm Museum

Herningsholm Museum is located within the oldest building in Herning, dating back to 1579. Here, you can hear about life on the heath – and about the stories it has inspired as well as the role it has played for the textile industry, which would later influence the area.