USA Hockey has been selected by the IIHF to host the 2024 International Ice Hockey Federation Women’s World Championship and will forward a host site to the IIHF for final approval.
Following site approval from the IIHF, USA Hockey will play host to the 10-team Championship, which will take place over a minimum 12-day period in March/April of 2024. In order to ensure the Championship is organized and operated according to IIHF requirements, USA Hockey has produced a set of guidelines to be followed by host cities and venues interested in bidding to stage this international competition.
The RFP for the event can be found at this link; however, the following information is a synopsis of what USA Hockey will take into consideration for this event.
Facility Requirements:
The host must secure and cover the expenses of a maximum of two (2) competition venues, with one designated as the primary arena, which will include medal-round games. Special consideration will be given to competition venues that have two (2) sheets of ice within one building. If there are two (2) separate competition venues, both arenas should be within 30 miles (or 30 minutes travel time) of one another.
The main arena should have a minimum seating capacity of 2500, while the secondary arena should have a minimum seating capacity of 500. The proposed arenas must be available to the Host exclusively and on a “clean” basis, beginning two days prior to the Championship and ending one day following the Championship. That is, the Championship must have exclusive advertising rights within the arenas including, but not limited to: dashers, bench boards, penalty boxes, and in-ice logos, and flexibility with incremental interior and exterior signage. All arena contracts entered into by the Host regarding the Championship will be subject to the prior approval of the Host Organizing Committee.
Accommodations
The host will aid in securing hotel(s) for the Championship. A single hotel with the ability to house all teams, officials and staff is preferred; however, multiple hotels will be accepted. The bid should include custom quotes for both guest rooms and meals based on the room and meal requirements for teams, officials and staff as defined in the RFP.
The RFP also includes details on meals, which can be provided by the host hotel(s).
Ideal Host Community Overview
In order for a community to be considered as a potential host of this championship, the bid must support the rationale for wanting to host the championship and be able to demonstrate its ability to meet minimum hosting standards as outlined in the RFP, including but not limited to financial commitment, marketing, volunteer support, staff support and other requirements.
Expectation and Timeline
At the time of the site selection, the Host must be willing to complete a term sheet with USA Hockey. From the term sheet, a legal contract with USA Hockey will be created by USA Hockey and must be signed at least 10 months prior to the start date of the Championship.
Jan. 20, 2023 Bid applications due to USA Hockey
February 2023 Site visits to potential host cities
March 15, 2023 Host site selected and notified
April 15, 2023 Contract finalized and signed by both parties
Event Dates
With final dates to be discussed and negotiated with the Host, this event should fall between March 22, 2024 – April 16, 2024. Competition will take place over a 12-day period with team arrivals 3-5 days prior to the start of the Championship for pre-camp. A sample game schedule can be found in the RFP.
Contact Information
Site Selection Committee primary contact. Madison Brown can be contacted at 719-538-1167 or MadisonB@usahockey.org.
Bid submissions are due to USA Hockey no later than January 20, 2023, and should be sent to:
USA Hockey
Attn: Madison Brown
1775 Bob Johnson Drive
Colorado Springs, CO 80906
MadisonB@usahockey.org
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