The Ball Hockey World Championship Will Be Held in the Czech Republic for the Fourth Time. Where Have the Men’s Teams Fought for the Title So Far?

The Beginnings of the World Championships

1996 (SVK – Bratislava) – To trace the very beginning of the World Championships of this beautiful sport, we must go back to the previous century. The very first tournament took place in 1996, hosted by Slovakia. The city of Bratislava welcomed the world, and home fans could celebrate their team’s bronze-medal run. In the final, the Czech Republic faced Canada, but only one team could take gold. It was the overseas side that claimed the first-ever ISBHF World Championship title.

1998 (CZE – Litoměřice) – Two years later, the runners-up from the inaugural championship took on hosting duties. The Czech Republic experienced the glory of its first-ever world title, triumphing in front of home fans. In the not-so-ball-hockey-famous city of Litoměřice, the Czech team defeated their Slovak brothers in the final. Both European teams had overpowered the overseas squads — Canada and the USA — with five goals each in the semifinals. Canada, however, secured bronze in the third-place game.

Canada Rules More Than Just Ice Hockey!

1999 (SVK – Zvolen) – The third championship came unusually just one year later, instead of after the usual two-year break. The tournament returned to Slovakia, and the host nation celebrated its own golden success. Canada finished second in Zvolen, while the Czech team took bronze after a convincing win over Switzerland.

2001 (CAN – Toronto) – Starting in 1999, the championship was held every odd year for two decades, until the global COVID pandemic interrupted the tradition. In the new millennium, the national teams crossed the ocean for the first time, heading to Canada. The home team once again proved unbeatable, winning gold in Toronto. The Czech Republic fell just short, losing the final 4–3. Slovakia took bronze after Switzerland’s second consecutive semifinal loss.

2003 (SUI – Sierre) – After two fourth-place finishes, Switzerland stepped up to host the event. Unfortunately for the home fans, the dream didn’t come true. Switzerland had to watch another confident performance by Canada, which defeated the Czech Republic in the final for the second time in a row. Slovakia once again took bronze.

2005 (USA – Pittsburgh) – Two years later, the championship returned overseas. The USA hosted for the first time, and the tournament brought several surprises. It was only a matter of time before one of the traditional medalists — Canada, the Czech Republic, or Slovakia — would drop out of the top three. Few expected it to be the Czechs. Italy claimed a historic bronze by defeating Portugal, earning its only World Championship medal to date. Canada took gold, Slovakia silver, and the surprising Portuguese team finished fourth after eliminating the Czechs in the quarterfinals. The hosts, Team USA, placed ninth.

Czech Double Delight!

2007 (GER – Ratingen) – Back in Europe, in Germany, things returned to normal. Canada stood on top of the podium, followed by the Czech Republic, which made sure not to stumble again. Slovakia secured bronze.

2009 (CZE – Plzeň) – The Czech Republic hosted the World Championship for the second time — and celebrated another golden triumph. This time, the Czech ball hockey players didn’t face Canada or Slovakia in the final, but a surprising opponent: India, which had shocked the tournament by defeating both Italy and the USA. The Americans had earlier eliminated Canada, but after losing to India, they also fell to Slovakia in the bronze-medal game.

2011 (SVK – Bratislava) – The Czech team claimed its second consecutive gold, and for the first time in history, did so outside its own country. In the final at Bratislava’s Ondrej Nepela Arena, they defeated Canada. The Slovak home team took bronze after a dominant win over the USA.

The Slovak Dominance

2013 (CAN – St. John’s) – In 2013, Slovakia began a golden era of dominance, dethroning the Czech Republic by winning the final 2–1. Canada finished third after beating Portugal 7–3 in the bronze-medal match. Portugal’s steady rise in performance was evident in this result.

2015 (SUI – Zug) – The Swiss city of Zug hosted another thrilling tournament. Fans witnessed a dramatic gold-medal game that went to overtime, where Slovakia scored the decisive goal to claim its third title. The USA earned silver, while the Czech Republic won bronze after a convincing win over Greece. Canada was eliminated in the quarterfinals by the eventual champions.

2017 (CZE – Pardubice) – Czech fans had high hopes for their undefeated home team, but the Pardubice championship brought a bitter twist. After advancing past India to the semifinals, the Czechs faced the defending champions, Slovakia. One of the most evenly matched games in ball hockey history was decided by a shootout — Slovakia prevailed and went on to defeat Canada in the final, completing a golden hat trick. The Czech Republic settled for bronze after beating Greece.

2019 (SVK – Košice) – Six years ago, Slovakia aimed for its fourth consecutive title, this time in front of home fans. Unlike the Czechs two years earlier, the Slovaks succeeded — defeating Finland 4–3 in the final. Canada finished third after edging out the Czechs in overtime.

The Maple Leaf Rises Again!

2022 (CAN – Laval) – The World Championship in Canada brought change. It was time for someone new to reclaim the throne. The home team stepped up once again — Canada didn’t lose a single game, dominating all opponents and leaving no doubts. The final was harsh for the Czechs, who conceded six goals. Slovakia, meanwhile, fell in the quarterfinals to Greece, who later finished fourth after losing to the USA.

2024 (SUI – Visp, Raron) – The most recent memories come from the tournament in the Swiss cities of Visp and Raron, where Canada successfully defended its title. It wasn’t as one-sided as the previous edition, but Canada sealed victory in overtime against the Czech Republic. In the bronze-medal game, the home Swiss team faced the USA, but fell short once again and continues to wait for its first medal.

Will Things Change in 2026?

2026 (CZE – Ostrava) – Who will rule the upcoming World Championship? Will Canada complete a golden hat trick, just as Slovakia did before? Can the Czech Republic bounce back from the disappointing Pardubice tournament and once again triumph on home soil? Will the Slovak sharpshooters reclaim the throne after six years? Or will we witness a historic first-time champion from a new country? There are plenty of questions — but only one World Championship. If you want to see for yourself who lifts the trophy, come to Ostrava in 2026!

The last Ball Hockey World Championship held in the Czech Republic took place in 2017, when the home team won the bronze medal. Photo credit: Andrea Jirásková.