Friendly International - Women 2026/27

The IIHF U18 Women's World Championship is the premier international ice hockey tournament for female players under the age of 18. Organised by the International Ice Hockey Federation, it serves as the junior counterpart to the senior event. The competition began in 2008, establishing a high level for developing young talent within the global pyramid of women's ice hockey.

The Top Division consists of eight teams. The season format involves a preliminary round where teams are split into two groups of four. The top two teams from each group advance to the semifinals, while the bottom two from each group play in the quarterfinals. The losers of the quarterfinals play for placement. The tournament concludes with medal games for gold and bronze.

Promotion and relegation are integral to the structure. The last-place team in the Top Division is relegated to Division I A. The winner of Division I A is promoted to the Top Division. Division I A and B also feature promotion and relegation to and from Division II. This system ensures competitive balance across levels.

Historically, the tournament has been dominated by North American teams. The United States holds the record for the most titles with 10 gold medals. Canada follows with 8 titles. The United States is the current champion as of the 2026 tournament. A key distinction from the Senior Women's World Championship is the age restriction. The U18 championship is designed for developing young talent, whereas the senior championship features professional and collegiate players with no upper age limit. Both tournaments share similar hierarchical structures but differ significantly in player eligibility and competitive level.

The 2026 season includes Czech Republic U18 W, Finland U18 W, Japan W, Slovakia U18 W, Canada W, and Switzerland U18 W. These nations participate in the international fixtures. The focus remains on youth development and international competition standards. The event continues to grow in prominence among hockey nations.