Sosnowiec ready to host the third IIHF Women’s European Cup of Nations 2027 tournament

The third tournament of this season’s IIHF Women’s European Cup of Nations kicks off on 15 October in Sosnowiec, Poland, and – if the first two editions are anything to go by – hockey fans are in for a treat.

IIHF Women's European Cup of Nations 2027 started with Groups A and B tournaments in August and is an international competition program designed to create more meaningful playing opportunities for women’s national teams during the season.

Germany finished atop the Group A standings in August with narrow wins over France, Norway and Hungary. Slovakia claimed Group B, scoring 18 goals and giving up just three in three wins over Austria, Italy and Netherlands.

IIHF Women's European Cup of Nations 2027 started with Groups A and B tournaments in August and is an international competition program designed to create more meaningful playing opportunities for women’s national teams during the season.

Germany finished atop the Group A standings in August with narrow wins over France, Norway and Hungary. Slovakia claimed Group B, scoring 18 goals and giving up just three in three wins over Austria, Italy and Netherlands.

Now, it’s host Poland, Great Britain, Spain and Slovenia taking the ice at Winter Stadium in Sosnowiec for a round-robin tournament to see who will be crowned Group C champion.

Group C is expected to be a bit of a dog fight as the four teams are very close to one another in the IIHF Women’s Hockey Rankings. Great Britain is the highest-ranked of the bunch at 19th (3910 points) but sits just 35 points and one spot ahead of Poland. The host Poles will be motivated to win the event on home ice and vault ahead of Great Britain.

The other two teams also sit among the top 25 in the world, with Slovenia at 3770 points (good for 23rd spot) and Spain next with 3590 points, which puts them in 24th place.

IIHF Women’s European Cup of Nations Group C event opens on 15 October with host Poland taking on Great Britain and, later, Spain meeting Slovenia. The event lasts just three days and follows a standard round-robin format, meaning each team will play three games. There will not be a playoff or medal round.

IIHF Women’s European Cup of Nations as a new format

The European Cup of Nations is built around the international break calendar and the tournament gives national teams the opportunity to use these important windows for structured, competitive international games. Teams can compete within an organized tournament framework, providing valuable opportunities to develop players, strengthen team performance and prepare for future IIHF competitions, a step up from simply relying solely on individual friendly games.

The first round of IIHF Women's European Cup of Nations 2027 features four-team round-robin tournaments across Groups A–D between August and November, giving participating nations three competitive international games within each tournament window.

A second round will follow during the February international break, before the competition culminates with a six-team final in April.

Growing the game

Women’s hockey continues its surge in growth around the globe, from grassroots events like the Global Girls Game, to high-level international play. And the IIHF is committed to supporting continued growth.

The federation plays an active role in supporting the European Cup of Nations by coordinating the competition framework and also providing financial support to the tournament host and participating teams.

Training camps and practices are important but high-level women’s hockey will continue to grow and flourish with more games and that’s why an event like the European Cup of Nations is so vital. It is through meaningful competition that member nations can see where their programs are at and what is needed to get to that next level.

All games will be available on IIHF.TV

Official website of the tournament you will find HERE.