Ice hockey at the 2026 Winter Olympics – Women's qualification

Qualification for the women's ice hockey tournament at the 2026 Winter Olympics will be determined by the IIHF World Ranking following the 2024 Women's Ice Hockey World Championships. The host along with the top six teams in the world ranking receive automatic berths into the Olympics, while all other teams have an opportunity to qualify for the remaining three spots.[1] The participation of Russia is not yet confirmed and depends on if the team is allowed to return to the IIHF Championship program.[2]

Qualified teams

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Event Date Location Vacancies Qualified
Hosts 1   Italy
2024 IIHF World Ranking[a] 20 August 2021 – 14 April 2024   Utica[b] 6   Canada
  United States
  Finland
  Czech Republic
  Switzerland
  Russia[c]
Final qualification tournaments 6 – 9 February 2025   Tomakomai 1
  Gävle 1
  Bremerhaven 1
Total 10
Notes
  1. b Utica was the site of the 2024 IIHF Women's World Championship; at the conclusion of the tournament the direct qualification slots were finalized, however final qualification ranking was not determined until the completion of the Division IA tournament in Klagenfurt on 27 April.
  2. c The participation of Russia is not yet confirmed and depends on if the team is allowed to return to the IIHF World Championship program.

Qualification seeding

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To qualify directly, a nation has to be ranked in the top six following the 2024 Women's Ice Hockey World Championships. In the IIHF World Ranking system, ranking points from the most recent year are weighted at full value, and points from each preceding year are worth 25% less. The table below represents the standings of the 45 current participants, and Russia (whose status is yet to be determined).

     Qualified directly to Olympic tournament
     Entered in Final Olympic qualification
     Entered in Round 2
     Entered in Round 1 (cancelled)
     Did not enter Olympic qualification
Qualifying seed Team WC2024
(100%)
WC2023
(75%)
WC2022
(50%)
OLY2022
(50%)
WC2021
(25%)
Total
1   Canada 1600 1560 1200 1200 1200 4270
2   United States 1560 1600 1160 1160 1160 4210
3   Finland 1520 1460 1040 1120 1120 3975
4   Czechia 1500 1520 1120 1020 1020 3965
5    Switzerland 1460 1500 1100 1100 1100 3960
6   Russia 1440 1460 1100 1060 1060 3880
7   Japan 1400 1420 1060 1040 1040 3775
8   Sweden 1420 1440 1020 1000 960 3750
9   Germany 1440 1400 960 860 1000 3650
10   Hungary 1300 1360 1000 920 960 3520
11   Denmark 1340 1300 940 940 940 3490
12   China 1360 1320 820 960 740 3425
13   France 1280 1340 920 880 920 3415
14   Norway 1320 1240 900 840 880 3340
15   Austria 1260 1280 860 900 860 3315
16   Slovakia 1200 1220 880 820 840 3175
17   Netherlands 1240 1260 840 740 780 3170
18   South Korea 1220 1200 740 780 800 3080
Host   Italy 1160 1160 780 800 820 3025
19   Poland 1100 1180 800 760 760 2955
20   Great Britain 1140 1120 700 720 660 2855
21   Slovenia 1120 1140 720 680 680 2845
22   Kazakhstan 1080 1100 760 660 720 2795
23   Spain 1060 1060 660 700 640 2695
24   Mexico 1040 1040 620 640 620 2605
25   Chinese Taipei 1020 1020 640 620 540 2550
26   Latvia 1180 1080 680 0 700 2505
27   Iceland 1000 1000 580 600 520 2470
28   Turkey 880 860 540 580 580 2230
  Hong Kong 920 840 360 560 460 2125
  Australia 940 940 560 0 560 2065
  Belgium 980 960 460 0 400 2030
  New Zealand 900 920 540 0 500 1985
29   Lithuania 800 800 440 520 340 1965
  South Africa 860 900 520 0 420 1900
30   Bulgaria 740 760 420 540 360 1880
31   Croatia 760 880 500 0 480 1790
  Ukraine 840 820 460 0 380 1780
32   Romania 820 780 420 0 440 1725
33   Estonia 700 740 340 0 320 1505
34   Serbia 780 720 320 0 0 1480
  North Korea 960 0 620 0 600 1420
  Bosnia and Herzegovina 640 680 300 0 300 1375
  Israel 680 700 280 0 0 1345
35   Thailand 720 0 0 0 0 720
  Singapore 660 0 0 0 0 660

Olympic qualification Round 1

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This round was canceled.[3] It was meant to take place between 7–10 November 2024, and consist of three groups of teams ranked 25th or lower.[1][4] Teams entered in Group A were Chinese Taipei, Bulgaria and Croatia; teams in Group B were Latvia, Lithuania, Romania and Thailand; and teams in Group C were Iceland, Turkey, Estonia and Serbia.[4]

The three highest ranked teams, Chinese Taipei, Latvia and Iceland, advanced to Round 2.[5]

Olympic qualification Round 2

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Twelve countries will play in three tournaments 12–15 December 2024, involving nations ranked 16th to 24th and those who advanced from Round 1 (named Qualifier 4, 5, and 6). If nations decline to participate then those ranked lower will move up to fill their place.[1]

Group D

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Group D
 
Tournament details
Host country  Slovakia
CityPiešťany
Venue(s)1 (in 1 host city)
Dates12–15 December
Teams4
Tournament statistics
Games played6
Goals scored49 (8.17 per game)
Attendance1,321 (220 per game)
Scoring leader(s)  Nela Lopušanová (18 points)
Official website
IIHF

The tournament was held in Piešťany, Slovakia.[3]

Pos Team Pld W OTW OTL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1   Slovakia (H) 3 3 0 0 0 37 2 35 9 Final qualification
2   Kazakhstan 3 2 0 0 1 6 8 −2 6
3   Slovenia 3 1 0 0 2 3 19 −16 3
4   Iceland 3 0 0 0 3 3 20 −17 0
Source: IIHF
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head points; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) head-to-head number of goals scored; 5) result against closest best-ranked team outside tied teams; 6) result against second-best ranked team outside tied teams; 7) seeding before tournament.
(H) Host

All times are local (UTC 1).

12 December 2024
14:00
Slovenia  3–2
(1–1, 1–1, 1–0)
  IcelandPatrícia Ice Arena 37, Piešťany
Attendance: 27
Game reference
Pia DukaričGoaliesAndrea BachmannReferee:
  Gabriela Malá
Linesmen:
  Amy Campbell
  Magdaléna Jonáková
0–113:20 – Snorradóttir (PP)
Blazinšek (Pezdir) – 16:011–1
Glavič (Kokolj, Golob) – 32:522–1
2–236:27 – Si. Björgvinsdóttir (Snorradóttir, Ka. Björnsdóttir)
Blazinšek (Buljeta) – 49:313–2
8 minPenalties4 min
17Shots40
12 December 2024
18:00
Slovakia  8–1
(3–0, 1–0, 4–1)
  KazakhstanPatrícia Ice Arena 37, Piešťany
Attendance: 233
Game reference
Andrea RišianováGoaliesArina ChshyokolovaReferee:
  Svenja Stohmenger
Linesmen:
  Jennifer Bannink
  Aino Ranki
Lopušanová (Ištocyová) (PP) – 07:041–0
Lopušanová – 14:102–0
Lopušanová (Kapičáková, Beňáková) – 16:233–0
Lopušanová – 22:074–0
Halušková (Bednárik) – 43:345–0
5–145:08 – Moldabay (Shegay, Orazbayeva) (PP)
Kúbeková (Tóthová) – 47:176–1
Leskovjanská (Lopušanová) (PP) – 51:107–1
Kúbeková (Nemčeková, Ištocyová) – 59:228–1
4 minPenalties4 min
47Shots13

13 December 2024
14:00
Slovenia  0–3
(0–0, 0–2, 0–1)
  KazakhstanPatrícia Ice Arena 37, Piešťany
Attendance: 34
Game reference
Pia DukaričGoaliesArina ChshyokolovaReferee:
  Hanna Öberg
Linesmen:
  Magdaléna Jonáková
  Amanda Ziola
0–129:32 – M. Sayakhatkyzy (Orazbayeva)
0–232:55 – Ashimova (Sviridova)
0–359:35 – Tursynova (Moldabay, M. Sayakhatkyzy) (EN)
8 minPenalties2 min
21Shots59
13 December 2024
18:00
Iceland  1–15
(0–3, 1–8, 0–4)
  SlovakiaPatrícia Ice Arena 37, Piešťany
Attendance: 361
Game reference
Karítas Halldórsdóttir
Andrea Bachmann
GoaliesAndrea RišianováReferee:
  Gabriela Malá
Linesmen:
  Amy Campbell
  Aino Ranki
0–101:01 – Šuliková (Ištocyová)
0–212:47 – Ištocyová (Lopušanová, Kúbeková) (EA)
0–314:03 – Košecká (Tóthová, Fančovičová)
0–420:27 – Leskovjanská (Lopušanová, Šuliková) (PP)
0–522:58 – Košecká (Halušková, Fančovičová) (PP)
0–624:14 – Lopušanová (Drábeková)
0–726:01 – Ištocyová (Šuliková, Lopušanová) (PP)
Si. Björgvinsdóttir (Su. Björgvinsdóttir) – 26:111–7
1–829:28 – Kapičáková (Lopušanová, Drábeková)
1–932:41 – Kapičáková (Drábeková)
1–1036:56 – Halušková (Tóthová, Bednárik)
1–1138:14 – Lopušanová (Kúbeková, Drábeková)
1–1250:10 – Tóthová (Košecká, Bednárik)
1–1350:52 – Nemčeková (Ištocyová)
1–1455:45 – Lopušanová (Kapičáková)
1–1556:26 – Kúbeková
12 minPenalties2 min
9Shots69

15 December 2024
14:00
Kazakhstan  2–0
(1–0, 0–0, 0–0)
  IcelandPatrícia Ice Arena 37, Piešťany
Attendance: 41
Game reference
Arina ChshyokolovaGoaliesAndrea BachmannReferee:
  Svenja Stohmenger
Linesmen:
  Aino Ranki
  Amanda Ziola
Filimonova (D. Sayakhatkyzy, Pyatkova) – 06:551–0
Ashimova (M. Sayakhatkyzy, Pyatkova) (EN) – 59:342–0
6 minPenalties2 min
25Shots19
15 December 2024
18:00
Slovakia  14–0
(5–0, 6–0, 3–0)
  SloveniaPatrícia Ice Arena 37, Piešťany
Attendance: 625
Game reference
Andrea RišianováGoaliesPia Dukarič
Tjaša Intihar
Referee:
  Hanna Öberg
Linesmen:
  Jennifer Bannink
  Amy Campbell
Bednárik (Košecká, Tóthová) – 02:541–0
Šuliková (Lopušanová, Kúbeková) (PP) – 05:522–0
Tóthová (Bednárik, Košecká) – 06:403–0
Beňáková (Lopušanová) – 08:134–0
Beňáková (Paulínyová, Drábeková) – 12:315–0
Mateičková – 21:356–0
Lopušanová (Šuliková, Kúbeková) (PP) – 25:477–0
Janeková (Halušková, Šuliková) – 29:008–0
Lopušanová – 31:299–0
Lopušanová (Leskovjanská, Šuliková) (PP) – 33:4710–0
Halušková – 38:5211–0
Lopušanová (Fančovičová) – 51:3612–0
Beňáková (Janeková, Leskovjanská) – 52:4913–0
Jancsóová (Mateičková, Tóthová) – 54:5714–0
0 minPenalties8 min
72Shots5

Group E

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Group E
 
Tournament details
Host country  Great Britain
CitySheffield
Venue(s)1 (in 1 host city)
Dates12–15 December
Teams4
Tournament statistics
Games played6
Goals scored17 (2.83 per game)
Attendance2,993 (499 per game)
Scoring leader(s)  Katie Henry (4 points)
Official website
IIHF

The tournament was held in Sheffield, Great Britain.[3][6]

Pos Team Pld W OTW OTL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1   Netherlands 3 2 1 0 0 5 1 4 8 Final qualification
2   Great Britain (H) 3 2 0 1 0 6 3 3 7
3   Latvia 3 1 0 0 2 6 5 1 3
4   Spain 3 0 0 0 3 0 8 −8 0
Source: IIHF
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head points; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) head-to-head number of goals scored; 5) result against closest best-ranked team outside tied teams; 6) result against second-best ranked team outside tied teams; 7) seeding before tournament.
(H) Host

All times are local (UTC±0).

12 December 2024
12:30
Netherlands  2–0
(1–0, 0–0, 1–0)
  SpainiceSheffield, Sheffield
Attendance: 686
Game reference
Eline GabrieleGoaliesAlba GonzaloReferee:
  Caroline Butt
Linesmen:
  Anna Callovini
  Melkanie Gotsdiner
Seppenwolde (Milders) (PP) – 08:121–0
Hamers (Zwarthoed) (SH) – 59:092–0
6 minPenalties8 min
34Shots23
12 December 2024
16:00
Great Britain  3–2
(1–1, 2–1, 0–0)
  LatviaiceSheffield, Sheffield
Attendance: 380
Game reference
Ella HowardGoaliesKristiāna ApsīteReferee:
  Michaela Matějová
Linesmen:
  Ottilia Classon
  Amy Keijzers
Alderson-Smith (Gale) – 03:381–0
1–104:10 – Miljone (Šilajāne)
Henry (Marsden) (PP) – 25:142–1
Gale (Henry, Alderson-Smith) – 26:453–1
3–236:06 – Yip-Chuck (Šilajāne)
6 minPenalties6 min
38Shots16

14 December 2024
12:30
Latvia  1–2
(0–1, 1–0, 0–1)
  NetherlandsiceSheffield, Sheffield
Attendance: 320
Game reference
Kristiāna ApsīteGoaliesEline GabrieleReferee:
  Beatrice Fortin
Linesmen:
  Anna Callovini
  Ottilia Classon
0–119:24 – Hamers
Yip-Chuck (Miljone) (PP) – 34:061–1
1–253:29 – Wielenga (Dijkema, Hamers)
6 minPenalties16 min
22Shots34
14 December 2024
16:00
Great Britain  3–0
(1–0, 0–0, 2–0)
  SpainiceSheffield, Sheffield
Attendance: 678
Game reference
Ella HowardGoaliesCarolina MorenoReferee:
  Michaela Matějová
Linesmen:
  Melkanie Gotsdiner
  Mildrid Johnsen
Henry (Gale) – 09:481–0
Henry (Gale) – 53:422–0
Alderson-Smith (EN) – 58:553–0
16 minPenalties4 min
26Shots31

15 December 2024
12:30
Spain  0–3
(0–2, 0–0, 0–1)
  LatviaiceSheffield, Sheffield
Attendance: 226
Game reference
Maria SierraGoaliesKristiāna ApsīteReferee:
  Beatrice Fortin
Linesmen:
  Anna Callovini
  Mildrid Johnsen
0–103:42 – A. Apsīte (Yip-Chuck, Miljone)
0–218:24 – Šilajāne (Yip-Chuck)
0–358:35 – Miljone (EN)
8 minPenalties6 min
28Shots30
15 December 2024
16:00
Netherlands  1–0 OT
(0–0, 0–0, 0–0)
(OT: 1–0)
  Great BritainiceSheffield, Sheffield
Attendance: 703
Game reference
Eline GabrieleGoaliesElla HowardReferee:
  Caroline Butt
Linesmen:
  Melkanie Gotsdiner
  Amy Keijzers
Wielenga – 64:141–0
14 minPenalties8 min
31Shots16

Group F

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Group F
 
Tournament details
Host country  Poland
CityBytom
Venue(s)1 (in 1 host city)
Dates12–15 December
Teams4
Tournament statistics
Games played6
Goals scored35 (5.83 per game)
Attendance2,027 (338 per game)
Scoring leader(s)  Karolina Późniewska (5 points)
Official website
IIHF

The tournament was held in Bytom, Poland.[3]

Pos Team Pld W OTW OTL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1   Poland (H) 3 3 0 0 0 19 1 18 9 Final qualification
2   South Korea 3 2 0 0 1 10 5 5 6
3   Mexico 3 0 1 0 2 3 17 −14 2
4   Chinese Taipei 3 0 0 1 2 3 12 −9 1
Source: IIHF
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head points; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) head-to-head number of goals scored; 5) result against closest best-ranked team outside tied teams; 6) result against second-best ranked team outside tied teams; 7) seeding before tournament.
(H) Host

All times are local (UTC 1).

12 December 2024
14:30
South Korea  6–0
(2–0, 4–0, 0–0)
  MexicoBytom Arena, Bytom
Attendance: 50
Game reference
Cheon Hyo-seoGoaliesMiranda De AntuñanoReferee:
  Mai Mizuhori
Linesmen:
  Katja Mrak
  Alice Zábršová
Park Jo. – 09:071–0
Lee E. (Lee S.) – 11:072–0
Lee E. (Kim D.) – 26:493–0
Choi (Kang) – 27:574–0
Choi (Song) – 34:075–0
Lee S. (Han S.) (PP) – 37:336–0
2 minPenalties10 min
43Shots4
12 December 2024
18:30
Poland  5–1
(1–0, 1–1, 3–0)
  Chinese TaipeiBytom Arena, Bytom
Attendance: 405
Game reference
Martyna SassGoaliesChung Ai
Hsu Tzu-ting
Referee:
  Tippy Hill
Linesmen:
  Niina Sato
  Julia Wagner
Dziwok (Onyshchenko) – 08:481–0
1–133:28 – Chao (PP)
Korkuz (Tomczok, Czarnecka) – 39:382–1
Korkuz (Sikorska) (PP) – 47:393–1
Talanda – 55:134–1
Późniewska – 55:545–1
2 minPenalties6 min
53Shots18

13 December 2024
14:30
Chinese Taipei  0–4
(0–2, 0–1, 0–1)
  South KoreaBytom Arena, Bytom
Attendance: 64
Game reference
Hsu Tzu-tingGoaliesKim Yeon-juReferee:
  Audrey-Anne Girard
Linesmen:
  Sueva Torribio-Rousselin
  Julia Wagner
0–103:42 – Park Jo.
0–208:29 – Choi (Lee S., Han Y.) (PP)
0–322:43 – Jung S. (Choi, Kang)
0–450:33 – Park Jo. (Kim D.)
8 minPenalties6 min
9Shots41
13 December 2024
18:30
Poland  9–0
(1–0, 3–0, 5–0)
  MexicoBytom Arena, Bytom
Attendance: 430
Game reference
Martyna Sass
Nadia Ratajczyk
GoaliesDaniela Castro
Miranda De Antuñano
Referee:
  Mai Mizuhori
Linesmen:
  Katja Mrak
  Niina Sato
Sikorska – 17:361–0
Sikorska (Talanda) – 25:492–0
Późniewska (Talanda) (PP) – 31:353–0
Łąpieś (Brzezińska) – 32:104–0
Brzezińska (Czarnecka) – 41:065–0
Mota (Górska) – 53:306–0
Łąpieś (Brzezińska, Czarnecka) – 54:557–0
Górska (Mota) – 57:538–0
Późniewska – 58:309–0
4 minPenalties10 min
53Shots12

15 December 2024
12:15
Mexico  3–2 GWS
(1–0, 1–0, 0–2)
(OT: 0–0)
(SO: 1–0)
  Chinese TaipeiBytom Arena, Bytom
Attendance: 60
Game reference
Miranda De AntuñanoGoaliesHsu Tzu-tingReferee:
  Tippy Hill
Linesmen:
  Sueva Torribio-Rousselin
  Niina Sato
G. Rojas – 04:081–0
González (Wilson) – 25:102–0
2–141:00 – Liu
2–249:33 – Lin Ya. (Tan, Chang En-n.) (PP)
Amaya  
J. Rojas  
Chávez  
G. Rojas  
Heon  
Chávez  
J. Rojas  
Ayala  
G. Rojas  
Amaya  
Wilson  
J. Rojas  
González  
Shootout  Hsu Ti.
  Tan
  Yeh H.
  Chao
  Huang Y.
  Tan
  Yeh H.
  Chang En-n.
  Huang M.
  Huang M.
  Tan
  Huang M.
  Liu
10 minPenalties2 min
29Shots38
15 December 2024
16:15
South Korea  0–5
(0–1, 0–0, 0–4)
  PolandBytom Arena, Bytom
Attendance: 1,018
Game reference
Kim Yeon-juGoaliesMartyna SassReferee:
  Audrey-Anne Girard
Linesmen:
  Julia Wagner
  Alice Zábršová
0–110:20 – Sikorska (Późniewska, Talanda) (PP)
0–253:23 – Czarnecka (Brzezińska)
0–353:35 – Tomczok (Onyshchenko)
0–456:51 – Późniewska (Nosal) (EN)
0–559:44 – Huchel (Sikorska) (EN)
4 minPenalties6 min
32Shots20

Final Olympic qualification

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Twelve countries will play in three tournaments 6–9 February 2025 involving nations ranked 7th to 15th, and the three winners of the Round 2 tournaments. The winners advance to the Olympic tournament and play in group B.[1]

Group G

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This tournament will take place in Tomakomai, Japan.

Pos Team Pld W OTW OTL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1   Japan (H) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2026 Winter Olympics
2   China 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
3   France 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
4   Poland 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
First match(es) will be played: 6 February 2025. Source: [citation needed]
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head points; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) head-to-head number of goals scored; 5) result against closest best-ranked team outside tied teams; 6) result against second-best ranked team outside tied teams; 7) seeding before tournament.
(H) Host

Group H

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This tournament will take place in Gävle, Sweden.

Pos Team Pld W OTW OTL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1   Sweden (H) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2026 Winter Olympics
2   Denmark 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
3   Norway 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
4   Netherlands 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
First match(es) will be played: 6 February 2025. Source: [citation needed]
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head points; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) head-to-head number of goals scored; 5) result against closest best-ranked team outside tied teams; 6) result against second-best ranked team outside tied teams; 7) seeding before tournament.
(H) Host

Group I

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The tournament will be held in Bremerhaven, Germany.[3]

Pos Team Pld W OTW OTL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1   Germany (H) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2026 Winter Olympics
2   Hungary 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
3   Austria 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
4   Slovakia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
First match(es) will be played: 6 February 2025. Source: [citation needed]
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head points; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) head-to-head number of goals scored; 5) result against closest best-ranked team outside tied teams; 6) result against second-best ranked team outside tied teams; 7) seeding before tournament.
(H) Host

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Qualification System – XXV Olympic Winter Games" (PDF). Olympics.com. Retrieved 3 December 2023.
  2. ^ "Russia, Belarus banned from international hockey world championships next season". CBC.ca. 22 March 2023. Retrieved 2 December 2023.
  3. ^ a b c d e "CALENDAR OF EVENTS As of FRI 21 JUN 2024" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 June 2024. Retrieved 25 June 2024.
  4. ^ a b "Women's National Team Qualification Groups for the 2026 Olympic Games". National Teams of Ice Hockey - Information about hockey around the world. 20 May 2024. Retrieved 21 May 2024.
  5. ^ "Tournaments (Olympic Qualifications 2025)". IIHF International Ice Hockey Federation. Retrieved 25 June 2024.
  6. ^ Ellis, Chris (6 September 2024). "16TH SEPT: TICKETS FOR WOMEN'S OQ ON SALE". Ice Hockey UK. Retrieved 6 September 2024.