Hockey fans in Slovakia got behind the 2026 IIHF U18 Mens' World Championship
photo: © INTERNATIONAL ICE HOCKEY FEDERATION / MICHELINE VELUVOLU
The 2026 IIHF U18 Men’s World Championship in Trencin and Bratislava has recorded the highest attendance figures for the tournament since the COVID-19 pandemic, underlining the continued growth and popularity of international junior hockey.
A total of 70,377 fans attended the event, which featured 29 games across the two host cities—an average of 2,427 spectators per game. This represents the strongest turnout since 2018, when a record-breaking 159,176 fans attended the tournament.
“We are very pleased with the tremendous interest from the fans. Thanks in part to their support, our national team managed to achieve one of the greatest successes in this age category,” said Roman Sykora, Director of the 2026 IIHF U18 Men’s World Championship Organizing Committee.
Attendance figures were significantly boosted by host nation Slovakia’s impressive run to the gold-medal game. Slovak fixtures attracted an average of 5,512 fans, including the highest single-game attendance of 6,059.
In three years, Slovakia will once again host the senior World Championship. “It is up to us to maintain the high standards we have set in organizing top-level events,” Sykora added.
The success of the tournament was also supported by the dedication of volunteers working across both venues.
A total of 107 volunteers were selected from 481 applicants, with 453 candidates interviewed during the recruitment process. Together, they contributed 10,326 hours of service, playing a vital role in assisting teams, officials, spectators, and media, and ensuring the smooth operation of the championship.
The 2026 edition continues a positive upward trend in attendance following recent tournaments, highlighting strong fan engagement and the enduring appeal of the IIHF U18 Men’s World Championship on the global stage.
IIHF U18 Men’s World Championship in numbers:
A total of 70,377 fans attended the event, which featured 29 games across the two host cities—an average of 2,427 spectators per game. This represents the strongest turnout since 2018, when a record-breaking 159,176 fans attended the tournament.
“We are very pleased with the tremendous interest from the fans. Thanks in part to their support, our national team managed to achieve one of the greatest successes in this age category,” said Roman Sykora, Director of the 2026 IIHF U18 Men’s World Championship Organizing Committee.
Attendance figures were significantly boosted by host nation Slovakia’s impressive run to the gold-medal game. Slovak fixtures attracted an average of 5,512 fans, including the highest single-game attendance of 6,059.
In three years, Slovakia will once again host the senior World Championship. “It is up to us to maintain the high standards we have set in organizing top-level events,” Sykora added.
The success of the tournament was also supported by the dedication of volunteers working across both venues.
A total of 107 volunteers were selected from 481 applicants, with 453 candidates interviewed during the recruitment process. Together, they contributed 10,326 hours of service, playing a vital role in assisting teams, officials, spectators, and media, and ensuring the smooth operation of the championship.
The 2026 edition continues a positive upward trend in attendance following recent tournaments, highlighting strong fan engagement and the enduring appeal of the IIHF U18 Men’s World Championship on the global stage.
IIHF U18 Men’s World Championship in numbers:
- 0 – games decided by a shoot-out
- 4 – games decided in overtime
- 12 – points for the tournament’s scoring leaders, Timothy Kazda (SVK) and Elton Hermansson (SWE)
- 15 – age of the youngest players, Max Melicherik (SVK) and Sebastien Degn (DEN)
- 41.18% - most effective PP at the tournament (SVK)
- 101 – players scored at least one goal
- 156 – players scored at least one point
- 188 – total goals scored
- 597 – songs played in the two arenas
- 20,000 – km driven by official vehicles at the tournament