Other applying nations

Hungary (20th in the IIHF World Ranking)

Hungary applied to host a World Championship for the fourth consecutive time and the chance to host it might have increased after the national team earned a promotion to the top division for the first time in 70 years. The main venue in the bid is the 12,500-seater Laszlo Papp Budapest Sportarena, built in 2003. The second venue is the 7,500-capacity Alba Arena, which is planned to be built if Hungary wins the hosting rights for 2014. The arena will be located in the city of Szekesfehervar, 100,000 inhabitants 60 kilometers from Budapest and known as Hungary’s hockey hotbed.

Latvia (11th in the IIHF World Ranking)

After hosting the World Championship for the first time in 2006, the Latvian Ice Hockey Federation wants to bring the event back to its capital Riga. The bid includes the 10,300-seater Arena Riga, which was the main venue two years ago, and a new arena for 8,000 fans which is planned to be built eight kilometers away from the Arena Riga.

Ukraine (17th in the IIHF World Ranking)

Ukraine, whose national team was relegated in 2007 and hopes for promotion, is applying for the first time to host a top division World Championship. Both venues are planned in the capital city, Kiev. The main venue would be a 12,000-capacity arena to open in 2012. The second venue, the Central Sport Palace for 5,500 fans, will open next year.

 

See also