Stage set for Women’s World Challenge in Skien, Norway

World Para Ice Hockey has announced the competition schedule for the third and most exciting edition of the Women’s World Challenge, which will take place in Skien, Norway from 25-28 October. 

Hosted by the Norwegian Ice Hockey Association, the tournament will feature five teams — the most ever for the event — with USA, Canada and Great Britain returning while Team Europe and Team
Pacific hitting the international ice for the first time.

Teams will each play four round-robin games across four days of competition, beginning with a matchup on 25 October between Team Europe and Team Pacific.

Here is a complete game schedule for the tournament:

25 October 
13:30: Team Europe vs. Team Pacific
17:00: Canada vs. Great Britain
20:30: Team Europe vs. USA

26 October 
13:30: Team Pacific vs. Canada
17:00: Great Britain vs. USA

27 October 
13:30: Great Britain vs. Team Pacific
17:00: Canada vs. Team Europe
20:30: Team Pacific vs. USA

28 October 
13:30: Great Britain vs. Team Europe
17:00: USA vs. Canada

The tournament will take place at Skien Fritidspark, a multi-purpose stadium originally built in 1968 and redone in 2008 with indoor sports halls, an ice hockey rink, a large water park, and several out-door sports facilities. The venue also played host earlier this year to the World Para Ice Hockey Championships B-Pool.

With the ultimate goal of expanding female participation in Para ice hockey worldwide, the event will continue to pave the way for ultimately creating a Women’s World Championships and one day
adding the sport to the Paralympic Winter Games programme. 

Over the past year, World Para Ice Hockey has achieved remarkable progress in increasing women's participation, with female representation rising from 0.01 percent to 19 percent.

At the inaugural Women’s World Challenge in 2022, Team USA went undefeated to win gold on home ice, Canada claimed silver and Team World took the bronze. 

In 2023, the event featured 67 women and an all-women officiating crew for the second time; the USA went undefeated to de-fend its title, with Canada once again taking silver and Team World skating to bronze.