Asian Competitions
IIHF Asia events and competitions are in principle designed to provide Asian members, who are not part of the IIHF World Championship Program additional game experience in a structured competitive format. Occasionally, these events are also joined from other IIHF members or clubs from outside the Asian region.
These events support the development of ice hockey across Asia and are part of a year-round program from development activities. They also serve as a important platform for international competition. All events are conducted in accordance with IIHF Regulations including IIHF Player Eligibility and are intended to be the final step before teams enter the IIHF World Championship Program in their respective category.
While the program was initially most successful in the Men's Senior Category – with many Asian members playing now in the Men’s IIHF World Championship Program – recent growth and development have been strongest in the Men’s U18 and Women’s Senior categories.
In 2024, the IIHF launched the Asia Championship as a four-year pilot project involving the top-ranked Asian countries: China, Japan, Korea, and Kazakhstan. This initiative aims to create new growth opportunities for ice hockey in each participating country. It is organized to a high standard, comparable to top IIHF events, and focuses also on strengthening global competitiveness.
These events support the development of ice hockey across Asia and are part of a year-round program from development activities. They also serve as a important platform for international competition. All events are conducted in accordance with IIHF Regulations including IIHF Player Eligibility and are intended to be the final step before teams enter the IIHF World Championship Program in their respective category.
While the program was initially most successful in the Men's Senior Category – with many Asian members playing now in the Men’s IIHF World Championship Program – recent growth and development have been strongest in the Men’s U18 and Women’s Senior categories.
In 2024, the IIHF launched the Asia Championship as a four-year pilot project involving the top-ranked Asian countries: China, Japan, Korea, and Kazakhstan. This initiative aims to create new growth opportunities for ice hockey in each participating country. It is organized to a high standard, comparable to top IIHF events, and focuses also on strengthening global competitiveness.
Upcoming Tournaments
2026 IIHF Ice Hockey Asia U18 CupIn Kyrgyzstan (KGZ), 27 April to 3 May 2026
Host City: Bishkek (KGZ)
Participating teams
- Group A: Uzbekistan (UZB), Macau (MAC), Indonesia (INA)
- Group B: Mongolia (MGL), India (IND), Kyrgyzstan (KGZ)
Past Tournaments
2026 IIHF Ice Hockey Women's Asia ChampionshipIn Kazakhstan (KAZ), 5-8 November 2025
Host City : Oskemen (KAZ)
Venue : Boris Alecandrov Sport Palace
Participanting Teams : China (CHN), Kazakhstan (KAZ), Korea (KOR), Japan (JPN)
Tournament Page
2026 IIHF Ice Hockey Asia Championship
In China (CHN), 20-23 November 2025
Host City : Beijing (CHN)
Venue : Yanqing Ice Hockey Arena
Participanting Teams : China (CHN), Kazakhstan (KAZ), Korea (KOR), Japan (JPN)
Tournament Page
2025 IIHF Ice Hockey Women’s Asia Cup
In United Arab Emirates (UAE), 31 May - 6 June 2025
Host City :Al Ain (UAE)
Venue : Al Hili Ice Rink
Participanting Teams : United Arab Emirates (UAE, Host), Iran (IRI), Philippines (PHI), India (IND), Kyrgyzstan (KGZ), Malaysia (MAS)
Tournament Page | Wrap-up
2025 IIHF Ice Hockey Asia Championship
In KAZAKHSTAN, 6 - 9 November 2024
Host City :Almaty (KAZ)
Venue : Halyk Arena
Participanting Teams : Japan (JPN), China (CHN), Korea (KOR) & Kazakhstan (KAZ)
Tournament Page
2025 IIHF Ice Hockey Women's Asia Championship
In CHINA, 31 October - 3 November
Host City :Beijing (CHN)
Venue :Shougang Ice Rink
Participanting Teams : Japan (JPN), China (CHN), Korea (KOR) & Kazakhstan (KAZ)
Tournament Page
2024 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 Asia and Oceania Cup
In UZBEKISTAN, 23 to 30 April 2024
Venue : Tashkent & Samarkand
Participanting Teams : Uzbekistan, Thailand, Iran, Malaysia, Kuwait, Mongolia, UA Emirates, India, Macau, Indonesia
Tournament Page
2024 IIHF Ice Hockey Women's Asia and Oceania Cup
In Bishkek, KYRGYZSTAN, 24 to 30 March 2024
Venue : Bishkek Arena
Participanting Teams : India, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Philippines, United Arab Emirates
Tournament Page
2023 IIHF Ice Hockey Women's Asia and Oceania Championship
In Bangkok, THAILAND, 30 April to 7 May 2023
Participants: India, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, United Arab Emirates
Tournament Page
2023 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 Asia And Oceania Championship
In Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, 11-17 March 2023
Participants: Iran, Mongolia, Thailand, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan
Tournament Page
2022 IIHF Ice Hockey U20 Asia and Oceania Championship
In Bangkok, Thailand, 25 June - 2 July 2022
Group A: Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, United Arab Emirates
Group B: Indonesia, India, Singapore, Hong Kong (China)
Tournament page.
2019 IIHF Ice Hockey Challenge Cup of Asia
In Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 1-9 March 2019
Group A: Mongolia, Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia
Group B: Macau, Indonesia, Oman
Tournament Page
2019 IIHF Ice Hockey U20 Challenge Cup of Asia
In Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 5-8 December 2018
Participants: Malaysia, Kyrgyzstan, United Arab Emirates, Philippines
Tournament Page
2019 IIHF Ice Hockey U20 Challenge Cup of Asia Division I
In Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 3-6 December 2018
Participants: Thailand, Kuwait, Mongolia, Indonesia
Tournament Page
2019 IIHF Ice Hockey Women's Challenge Cup of Asia
In Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 14-19 April 2019
Participants: Chinese Taipei, New Zealand U18, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore
Tournament Page
2019 IIHF Ice Hockey Women's Challenge Cup of Asia Division I
In Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 14-19 April 2019
Participants: United Arab Emirates, Philippines, India, Kuwait
Tournament Page