Arena(s) and Ice Rink(s)

14.1If there are less than seven (7) teams participating in the Championship, the Host shall ensure the availability of one (1) arena which shall have sufficient space and facilities to accommodate the rooms and services described under Art. 17 - 52→ of this Event Code.

14.2If there are more than seven (7) teams participating in the Championship, the Host shall ensure the availability of two (2) arenas, of which one shall serve as the main venue for the Championship (the “Main Arena”). The arena(s) shall have sufficient space and facilities to accommodate the rooms and services described under Art. 17→

-52 of this Event Code.

14.3The second arena shall be located within a maximum of three (3) hours travelling time from the Main Arena.

14.4The required capacity of the arena(s) shall be communicated to MNAs before the application process is started.

14.5The arena(s) shall be in close proximity to an international airport.

14.6The Host ensures that each venue guarantees the exclusive availability of a practice rink preferably adjacent to the arena or reachable in a maximum of fifteen (15) minutes by bus.

14.7The Host may present a single arena if all requirements in the present article are met and upon prior IIHF approval.

14.8In the event that the Championship is relocated after the installation of the advertising and/or the broadcasting equipment and infrastructure due to circumstances attributable to the Host, the Host shall be responsible for production and (de)installation costs relating to all new arrangements.

14.9Game, practice rinks and other relevant facilities or areas shall be made exclusively available to the Host at least five (5) days prior to the start of the Championship and shall remain available until two and a half (2.5) days after the conclusion of the Championship. The Host shall deliver non a non-exclusive basis certain limited areas as early as twelve (12) days prior to the beginning of the Championship, if so agreed with the IIHF and/or the IIHF Commercial Partner (e.g. under-ice installations, set-up of temporary constructions, in-arena rigging, TV compound infrastructure such as cabins, etc.).

14.10During the above-mentioned period, the Host shall ensure complete exclusivity and availability for all areas of the above-mentioned arena(s), which shall be reserved in its entirety, including its vicinities, access routes, aerial space or temporarily used spaces and facilities, for the sole use of the Championship during the entire event.

14.11For the avoidance of any doubts, the above-mentioned period includes periods between games and game-free days.

14.12All ice rinks shall comply with the requirements set out in Rule 1→ of the IIHF Rule Book and be provided with maximum possible width of plexiglass panels in the four (4) corners of the rink.

14.13The Host is responsible for ensuring that the arena facilities are fit for purpose and maintained as such throughout the whole length of the Championship.

14.14The Host ensures proper logistics management including, but not limited to, load-in and load-out operations for goods related to the Championship.

14.15The Host acknowledges that new requirements arising from evolution in the broadcasting technology or expansion of services (e.g. interview positions), which are approved by the IIHF, shall be provided to the IIHF Commercial Partner at no additional cost.

14.16Exceptions may be granted by the IIHF if the situation so requires.