The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has overturned the ban on Russia imposed by the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), allowing the country to return to competition following its suspension since February 2022 due to the invasion of Ukraine.

Earlier this year, the IIHF confirmed that Russian teams would remain excluded after a review by its council. However, the Russian Ice Hockey Federation (RIHF) appealed to CAS, which upheld their appeal during an in-person hearing in Lausanne, Switzerland.

CAS stated that the IIHF's concerns regarding safety and security were "not supported by sufficient evidence." As a result, Russia is expected to participate in IIHF events during the 2026-27 season, including both the men's and women's World Championships.

Key points from the ruling include:

• Uncertainty remains regarding restrictions on flags, clothing, and national anthems.
• Individual Russian athletes competed at the 2026 Winter Olympics under a neutral flag, but not in ice hockey.
• The IIHF expressed its disappointment with the CAS ruling, emphasizing that their decisions were aimed at protecting the safety and integrity of competitions.

The IIHF noted that the ruling overlooked the material impact on competition formats, schedules, and security measures. They stated that implementing changes requires extensive coordination with national associations and organizing committees.

In a statement, the RIHF welcomed CAS's decision and expressed readiness to collaborate with the IIHF to facilitate the return of Russian teams to international competitions. Additionally, Ukraine has qualified for the upcoming men's World Championship, scheduled for May 14-30, 2024, in Germany.