Legends World Championship Heads to Černošice. Men’s and Women’s Teams to Compete in 2026
After the hosts of the junior world championships were announced, one final question mark remained in the ISBHF calendar for 2026. That question has now been answered. The Czech Ball Hockey Federation, in cooperation with the ISBHF, has officially confirmed the WC 2026 Men’s & Women’s Legends!
World Ball Hockey Championships will be held in Černošice. The tournament is scheduled to take place from July 28 to August 1, 2026. Following a two-year break, the Legends World Championship will move to the European continent for the very first time. Fans can look forward not only to the return of the Czech national team, which did not take part in the inaugural tournament in Edmonton, but also to the historic first-ever games in the women’s category.
Small Town, Big Event
At first glance, the host city may come as a surprise to some fans. Černošice has a population of around 7,700, making it one of the smallest towns ever to host a ball hockey world championship. The only smaller venue in history was the Swiss town of Raron, which co-hosted the world championship together with Visp.
However, it is the location that makes Černošice an ideal destination for an international tournament. The town is situated approximately 18 kilometres southwest of Prague’s city centre and, thanks to a direct train connection, can be reached from the capital in about 15 minutes. This significantly simplifies travel for both teams and spectators.
The tournament will be played at the Černošice Ice Rink, home arena of SK Tygři Černošice, a club competing in the fourth-highest Czech ice hockey league. Opened in 1981, the arena has a capacity of 560 spectators and has undergone renovations in recent years, including roof repairs and upgrades to the facilities with new changing rooms.
Legends: The Return of Ball Hockey Icons
The inaugural Men’s Legends World Championship, open to players aged 45 and over, took place in August 2024 in Edmonton, Canada. Eight teams from six countries participated, and the event featured many well-known figures from the world of ball hockey, both on the rosters and in organizational roles. Canada claimed the first-ever title in this category, defeating Canada BC in the final. The Women’s Legends tournament was originally planned to be held in Edmonton as well, but it was cancelled due to an insufficient number of registered teams. Černošice will therefore make history, as the 40+ women’s category will see its world championship debut at this event.
