IIHF moves 2023 world championship from St. Petersburg for security reasons

MOSCOW. April 26 (Interfax) - The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) said that the 2023 world championship will not go ahead in Russia; the next host will be announced in May.

"Out of concern for the safety and well-being of all participating players, officials, media, and fans, the IIHF Council has decided to withdraw the hosting rights of the 2023 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship from Russia," an IIHF statement said.

The tournament was to take place in St. Petersburg on May 5 - 21, 2023

The new host will be elected during an IIHF congress in Tampere, Finland, next month.

Earlier, the iIHF moved the 2023 youth world championship from Omsk and Novosibirsk.