Memorandum Signed to Support the 2026 World Ball Hockey Championship

The Moravian-Silesian metropolis of Ostrava will host the prestigious Men's and Women's World Ball Hockey Championship in two years, from June 20 to 28, 2026. The statutory city of Ostrava, the Moravian-Silesian Region, and the Czech-Moravian Ball Hockey Association have signed a joint memorandum.

The Moravian-Silesian Region Has Recently Hosted Numerous World-Class Sporting Events

The city of Ostrava and the Moravian-Silesian Region will each contribute CZK 4 million to support this significant ball hockey event, spread over the years 2025 and 2026. The World Championship will feature 16 men's and 8 women's teams from around the globe, including national teams from Armenia, Bermuda, Finland, France, Haiti, Hong Kong, India, Italy, the Cayman Islands, Canada, Lebanon, Portugal, Greece, Slovakia, Switzerland, the USA, Great Britain, and the host country, the Czech Republic. The event will take place on both ice rinks of the Ostravar Arena and will utilize its extensive facilities, including the athletic hall, which is essential given the scale of the event and the expected public interest.

Ostrava Mayor Jan Dohnal described the tournament as further confirmation that Ostrava is seen as a sports metropolis: “This is a world-class sporting event, and we are delighted to see the ball hockey championship return after nine years. Ball hockey is a sport many people remember from playing in their neighborhoods as kids. Now, we have the opportunity to showcase its highest level and introduce the sport to all generations. The championship will bring Ostrava not only sporting but also economic benefits due to the increased number of Czech and international tourists, which will boost the use of accommodation and hospitality services. Additionally, the city will gain heightened media attention, which we aim to maximize for its promotion.”

The Ball Hockey World Championship will also feature a rich accompanying program, offering not only sports but also cultural and social activities, with special emphasis on events for children, youth, and visiting fans.

Moravian-Silesian Region Governor Josef Bělica added: “In recent years, our region has become a hub for world-class sporting events. Top athletes come here, appreciating the professional facilities, wonderful fans, and fantastic atmosphere. Their performances often inspire not only children and youth but also adults to engage in sports. This is one of the main reasons why the Moravian-Silesian Region supports these events. It would be amazing if we could replicate the success of Czech ball hockey players who won gold at the championships in Pilsen in 2009 and Bratislava two years later.”

Organizers Expect Around 85,000 Fans at the Championship

Ball hockey has a more than 30-year tradition in the Czech Republic and is played by children, men, and women alike. Organizers expect the World Championship in Ostrava to attract up to 85,000 sports fans. The total budget for the event is CZK 25,815,000, with revenue coming from state, city, and regional support, the International Street and Ball Hockey Federation (ISBHF), marketing contributions from partners, and the Czech-Moravian Ball Hockey Association’s own resources.

Martin Komárek, Chairman of the Association, said: “We are excited that the top ball hockey event is returning to the Czech Republic after nine years, and we believe it will offer fans a fantastic sporting experience. Ostrava is one of the leading sports and cultural cities in the Czech Republic, and we are proud to be able to prepare an amazing ball hockey experience here for players, coaches, fans, and even the youngest children. Our national men's and women's teams will have high ambitions to compete for the top medals, which adds another dimension to the sporting event. We look forward to nine shared days of ball hockey in the Vítkovice arena, enjoying it with fans from Ostrava and visitors from all over the Czech Republic.”

To mark the signing of the memorandum of support, the Czech-Moravian Ball Hockey Association also unveiled the logo for the upcoming World Championship in the Czech Republic. The logo for the 2026 World Championship emphasizes simplicity with elements of ball hockey symbolism. The main feature is the silhouette of a ball hockey player with an orange ball, distinguishing ball hockey from other stick sports. The overall visual design is based on silhouettes with ball hockey and local themes, complemented by the date and location of the event. The primary colors are blue and red.