IIHF Division I and the Promotion/Relegation System
The IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship uses a promotion and relegation system to connect the top-level tournament with the lower divisions. This structure allows national teams to move up or down between levels based on performance, keeping international competition competitive and meaningful across multiple tiers.
The top division (often called the World Championship or “Top Division”) includes 16 teams. Below it sits IIHF Division I, which is split into two groups: Division I Group A and Division I Group B. These tournaments are organized by the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF).
The key idea is simple: teams that perform well in Division I can be promoted to the Top Division, while the lowest-performing teams in the Top Division can be relegated to Division I.
How Promotion and Relegation Works
At the end of each season’s World Championship, the lowest-ranked team in the Top Division is typically relegated to Division I Group A for the next year. At the same time, the winner of Division I Group A is typically promoted to the Top Division.
A similar system applies between Division I Group A and Division I Group B, where the best team in Group B can be promoted to Group A, and the lowest team in Group A can be relegated to Group B.
Why the System Matters
Promotion and relegation ensure that every game matters. Teams near the bottom of the Top Division fight to avoid relegation, while ambitious programs in Division I compete for the chance to move up and face the world’s strongest national teams.
You can find official tournament structures, divisions, and event listings on the IIHF website: IIHF Events (All Tournaments and Divisions)
The IIHF also maintains dedicated pages for the men’s World Championship and Division I events, including schedules, standings, and final rankings by year: IIHF World Championship 2026 Event Page and IIHF Tournament Directory .
Because divisions and participating teams can change each season, checking the official IIHF event pages is the best way to confirm the current Division I Group A and Group B lineups and the exact promotion and relegation outcomes for a given year.
