CAS overturns Russia ice hockey ban as IIHF raises safety concerns

The Court of Arbitration for Sport has overturned Russia's exclusion from International Ice Hockey Federation competitions, opening the way for its teams to return in the 2026-27 season. According to BBC Sport, the ruling covers a return to events including the men's and women's World Championships, after Russia challenged the continuation of its suspension.

Russia has been barred from IIHF events since its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The federation's council reviewed the position earlier this year and decided to maintain that exclusion. The Russian Ice Hockey Federation appealed the decision, and CAS upheld the appeal following a hearing attended in person at its headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland.

In explaining its decision, CAS said the IIHF had not provided sufficient evidence to support arguments based on safety, security and other concerns, BBC Sport reported. The ruling overturns the continued exclusion, but it does not yet provide clarity on all the conditions under which Russian teams will participate. Restrictions involving national flags, team clothing and the playing of the Russian anthem remain unclear.

The IIHF expressed disappointment and disputed that part of the court's findings. It said its decisions had been intended to keep participants safe and protect the integrity of its competitions. Although the governing body said it would comply with the ruling and respected the court's authority, it maintained that the concerns behind its earlier assessments had not gone away.

The federation also highlighted the practical work involved in changing participation arrangements. Competition formats and schedules, travel, accommodation and security measures would all require review. It said implementation could not happen immediately and would need extensive coordination with national associations, organising committees and the authorities in host countries.

Ukraine has qualified for the next men's World Championship, scheduled for May 14-30 in Germany. Russia's position in international ice hockey has differed from that of some individual Russian athletes: they were permitted to compete under a neutral flag at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy, but that arrangement did not extend to ice hockey.

The Russian Ice Hockey Federation welcomed the judgment and said it would work with the IIHF on bringing Russian teams back into competition. The decision therefore establishes a path back to IIHF events, while the governing body continues to raise questions about both implementation and safety.