The 2005 IIHF World Championship will take place in Vienna and Innsbruck from April 30 to May 15. 16 national teams, their officials and enthusiastic supporters will come to Austria to celebrate a first-class ice hockey event – the 2005 IIHF World Championship!

The Innsbruck Olympia Hall, which is undergoing major renovation works, will serve as venue for top notch ice hockey matches from April 30 to May 15, 2005. This event will be the second highlight of 2005 besides the Winter Universiade Innsbruck/Seefeld (January 2005)

Both cities are world-famous and known for their experience and their support of organizing international sports events. The city administration of Vienna and the local government of Tyrol have a long tradition as hosts of Olympic games and World Championships in almost all kinds of sports.

250.000 fans will watch the games in both Vienna and Innsbruck, 160 TV-stations will transmit the tournament, 1.500 journalists will cover it and 629 million people all over the world will watch the battle for the IIHF-trophy.

The world championship will start on April 30, 2005 with the preliminary round – the national team of Austria as the organiser will have a fix spot. 56 games will be played, 28 in both host cities. The semi final and final games will be played in Vienna, all relegations games except one will take place in Innsbruck.

For more information, visit www.icehockey2005.com