The IIHF World Championship is one of the premier international ice hockey tournaments, organized annually by the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF). Its history reflects the growth and globalization of ice hockey as a sport. At 1xBet mobile you can make your wagers on this competition from your mobile gadgets too.
The championship began in 1920, initially as part of the Summer Olympics in Antwerp, Belgium, marking ice hockey’s Olympic debut. The tournament quickly gained prominence, and by 1930, the IIHF established it as a standalone World Championship event. Other amazing ice hockey tournaments can also be wagered on the go at the mobile 1xBet platforms.
Early tournaments were dominated by Canada, which showcased the country’s deep talent pool and strong hockey culture. European teams, particularly Czechoslovakia and Sweden, soon became formidable competitors.
Throughout the mid-20th century, the tournament was held annually except for the 1940-1946 period. Post-war, the Soviet Union emerged as a powerhouse, dominating from the 1950s through the 1980s. Their rigorous training programs and state support led to an era of near-constant success. This period saw legendary players like Vladislav Tretiak and Valeri Kharlamov elevate the sport’s profile globally.
The rivalry between the Soviet Union and Canada added a dramatic edge to the championship, with memorable matches highlighting contrasting styles. Ice hockey fans can also try to login and play on 1xBet’s Canadian site to bet on other big teams of this sport too.
Canada’s absence from the World Championship in the 1970s, due to disagreements over amateur status rules, allowed the Soviets and Czechoslovakians to rule the ice for a time. Canada returned in the late 1970s and reclaimed its status. This was especially visible with the participation of NHL players starting in the mid-1990s, which significantly raised the tournament’s competitiveness and popularity. Another reason to login and play on the 1xBet’s Canadian site is to be able to wager on NHL players and matches too.
The IIHF World Championship also expanded beyond Europe and North America over time. The inclusion of countries from Asia, like Japan and South Korea, signaled the sport’s expanding reach. The tournament’s format evolved from simple round-robin stages to more complex systems. This new format involves 3 kinds of instances:
All those elements allow the competition to accommodate more teams and enhance spectator interest.
