When the Ice Hockey World Championship was last held on home soil in 2012 and 2013, together with Finland, the collaboration between the World Championship organization and the City of Stockholm was described as inadequate. It was difficult to notice outside the Globen area that the World Championship was taking place in Stockholm. This is something they want to change ahead of the next World Championship.
We will have an official fan zone at the old Söderstadion. But we will naturally also try to activate the rest of the city. With the engagement we have seen so far, it feels like it will be a completely different situation in 2025 compared to previous championships. No one in Stockholm should miss that a World Championship is taking place, says Tony Wiréhn, Secretary General of the World Championship organization to TT during a press conference.
Lessons learned
During the last championships, ticket sales were also on the agenda. It was described in the media as a "ticket fiasco", with tickets considered too expensive. This is also something that has been worked on ahead of 2025.
We have of course taken lessons from previous championships. Much of the focus now has been on finding a reasonable price level, to be able to attract both the broad masses and create the revenue needed. It builds on us selling well, not least on Sweden's matches. But based on the releases we have had, we can conclude that there is an incredible interest. Since everything sells out so quickly, it should be a verification that we are at a decent price level, says Tony Wiréhn.
Globen is being rebuilt
Besides the challenge of marketing and ticket prices, Globen (Avicii arena), where the championship will be held, is undergoing a comprehensive renovation. The arena is expected to be ready in January and the championship will take place in May.
It is clear that all larger renovation projects always create some nervousness. But we are working very closely and have a good dialogue with the property owner. It is a tight schedule, but so far, there is nothing indicating that it will not hold, explains Wiréhn.
There is also an ambition to make a significant economic profit after the championship.
We want to create a surplus that we can reinvest in Swedish ice hockey. But the most important thing is that it becomes a good World Championship and a big folk festival that creates increased engagement for Swedish ice hockey, says Wiréhn.
The championship is shared with Danish Herning. Sweden is the "main host" and Denmark the "co-host", which, among other things, means that both semifinals and the final will be played in Stockholm.
This is how the Ice Hockey World Championship (9-25 May) will be played:
Group A (Stockholm): Sweden, Finland, Canada, Slovakia, Latvia, Austria, France, and Slovenia. Tre Kronor will start against Slovakia on May 9 and conclude the group stage against Canada on May 20.
Group B (Herning): Denmark, Czech Republic, USA, Switzerland, Germany, Norway, Kazakhstan, and Hungary.
The quarterfinals will be played on May 22 (two in Stockholm, two in Herning). Then, the semifinals, bronze match, and final will be decided in Stockholm during the weekend of May 24-25.
