The 2027 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship in Germany returns to a special venue: At the VELTINS-Arena in Gelsenkirchen, which seats 61,574 spectators, Team Germany will open the tournament on Thursday, May 13, 2027, against the current world runner-up, Switzerland. The first puck drops at 8:20 p.m.
Seventeen years after the 2010 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship, the VELTINS-Arena will once again serve as the venue for an opening game of the IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship. In the legendary 2010 opening game, Germany defeated Team USA 2–1 in overtime.
With the announcement of the opening game, the first ticket sales phase for the 2027 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship in Germany also begins. Starting Thursday, July 16, 2026, at 12 p.m., fans can secure their first tickets. The following tickets will be available at the start of sales:
- Tickets for the opening game in Gelsenkirchen
- VIP Venue Packages (All Games)
- Match Day Packages for the Quarterfinals
- Final Round Packages in Düsseldorf (semifinals, bronze medal game, and gold medal game)
Tickets starting at 39 euros are available through the official ticket platform for the IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship Germany 2027: 2027.iihfworlds.com/tickets
Fan Information for the Opening Game in Gelsenkirchen
Team Germany’s official fan section is located in the North Curve of the VELTINS Arena. Sections V and W are reserved for fans of the Swiss national team.
Upcoming Ticket Sales Phases
Ticket sales will take place in several phases. The complete schedule will be published in September 2026. That is also when official advance sales of multi-game packages will begin. Single tickets will be available starting in February 2027.
More information on the various hospitality packages will be available later this summer.
In addition, fans can register now to receive early information about the start of advance ticket sales for day packages in September and to secure exclusive ticketing benefits: 2027.iihfworlds.com/register
Claus Gröbner, Managing Director of the 2027 Ice Hockey World Championship Organizing Committee: “With the announcement of the opening game, the 2027 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship in Germany is becoming a reality for fans for the first time. After a long period of planning and preparation, the tournament is now gradually taking shape. An opening game is always a special moment—it kicks off an international sporting event and creates memories that last far beyond the first day of play. The fact that the 2027 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship in Germany will begin with such a highlight is something truly special. With the start of advance ticket sales tomorrow, fans can become part of this journey and secure their spot early for an extraordinary ice hockey experience.”
Matti Nurminen, Secretary General of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF): “Gelsenkirchen made ice hockey history in 2010. By holding the opening game of the 2027 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship in Germany™ at this iconic venue, we are building on that ice hockey legacy. The opening game between host Germany and the reigning world runner-up, Switzerland, brings together two of the leading ice hockey nations in a matchup that promises an unforgettable start to the tournament.”
