The World Bandy Scene Faces Postponements and Shifts in 2024 and Beyond
The official site of the Norwegian Bandy Federation reports a clear update: the World Cup for 2024 will not be held. This decision marks a pause in the international schedule and signals a shift in planning for top level bandy events across both genders. The announcement explains that the International Bandy Federation has canceled the 2024 men’s and women’s World Championships, and the Norwegian Bandy Federation expresses regret that the 2024 World Championships will not take place for either men or women.
Backstory helps illuminate the timeline. In 2023 the World Championship was slated for Kemerovo in Russia, but concerns over the situation in Ukraine led the International Bandy Federation to relocate the tournament from Russia in March of that year. The provisional host scenarios included three Swedish cities submitting bids, though those applications were later withdrawn. In the end the federation selected Norway as the host nation, yet the event was ultimately not staged. The federation has since redirected its focus toward preparing for the 2025 World Cup for both men and women, signaling a restart of the championship cycle after the canceled 2024 edition.
The broader international sports landscape intersects with this decision. On February 28, the International Olympic Committee issued a call to international sports federations, advising that domestic and Belarusian athletes should not participate in competitions. Alongside this, a number of events that previously included foreign athletes were moved away from Russia as part of a wider set of sanctions and alignment measures. This context underscores the complex geopolitical environment in which global sports governing bodies operate and plan for future seasons.
Earlier coverage noted a separate IOC initiative to advance the Olympic Truce concept. The IOC stated that it would submit a draft resolution on the Olympic Truce to the United Nations General Assembly, highlighting the ongoing efforts to promote peaceful competition and dialogue through sport. This broader development sits alongside the bandy federation decisions, illustrating how international sport governance connects with diplomatic and political considerations on the world stage.
In summary, the 2024 World Championships in bandy will not proceed for either gender. The federation’s focus now centers on the 2025 World Cup, with preparations likely to emphasize federation collaboration, venue scouting, and logistic planning to ensure a robust tournament for both men and women. Fans and national associations await further announcements about hosts, schedules, and qualification pathways as the sport moves forward amid a shifting international landscape.
As the sport navigates these changes, stakeholders emphasize resilience and continuity. The decision reflects a careful assessment of global conditions and the need to deliver a high-quality championship experience when the stakes are right. Attendees and participants can expect a renewed push in the lead-up to 2025, with clear communication from the federation and its partners about the path to the next World Cup and the preparation required for a successful event across both genders.