History of the World Championships

The Ball Hockey World Championship is the most significant international event in the sport, organized by the International Street and Ball Hockey Federation (ISBHF). The first men’s championship took place in 1996 in Bratislava, where Canada claimed the world title. In 1998, the Czech Republic hosted the tournament for the first time, in the city of Litoměřice, where the home team captured the gold medal. Another championship followed just a year later, but since then it has been held every two years. This cycle was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, when the 2021 tournament had to be postponed to the following year. The first Women’s World Championship was held in 2007.

So far, ISBHF senior World Championships have taken place in six different countries. Slovakia has hosted the most often – twice in Bratislava, once in Zvolen, and once in Košice. Canada has staged the tournament three times, in Toronto, St. John’s, and Laval. Switzerland has also hosted three times, in Sierre, Zug, and most recently in 2024 in Visp and Raron. The United States welcomed the championship in Pittsburgh, while Germany hosted it in Ratingen.

In the men’s category, Canada, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic dominate the medal standings, each with thirteen medals. Canada leads with the most golds – seven in total. In the women’s category, Canada and the Czech Republic are the most successful nations, each with nine medals, with Canada holding six golds. The latest world titles, from the 2024 championship in Switzerland, are held by Canada in the men’s category and the United States in the women’s.