Ostrava 2026 schedule revealed: When do the games start and what can we expect?

The Ball Hockey World Championship in Ostrava 2026 is fast approaching, and the organizers have now released the full match schedule. Fans can already see when each category enters the tournament, how the playoff stage will unfold, and where the games will be played.

Ready for the show?

The tournament kicks off on Saturday, June 20, with a packed opening day. Both men’s pools and the women’s competition will get underway. Pool B opens the action at 9:00 with a clash between France and Germany. Three hours later, Pool A begins, with Switzerland facing Slovakia in the opening game. The women’s tournament will feature just one match on the first day, but a highly attractive one – Czechia will take on Slovakia at 17:30.

The schedule will follow a similar pattern on the following days. Games will start early in the morning, with the first face-offs at 8:00 and the last ones at 20:30. Matches will be played simultaneously in two venues – the main stage will be Ostravar Arena, while additional games will take place in the adjacent multifunctional hall. Most Pool B games and several women’s matches will be held there.

The group stage concludes on Thursday, June 25, with the final three games of the women’s competition. The following day marks the start of the playoffs. On Friday, June 26, the men’s elite category quarterfinals begin at 8:00. Two hours later, Pool B semifinals will start, and from noon, the women’s teams will battle for a place in the final.

Saturday, June 27, will bring the key medal matchups. The day begins with the men’s Pool A game for fifth place, followed by both semifinals. Then it’s time for the women’s medal games – first the bronze match, followed by the gold medal clash. At the same time, Pool B games will run in the secondary arena, starting with the fifth-place match and continuing with the semifinals.

The championship will culminate on Sunday. The day opens at 9:00 with the bronze medal game in Pool B, followed shortly after (9:15) by the Pool B final in the main arena. At 12:15, the men’s elite bronze medal game takes place, and the tournament concludes with the gold medal final at 15:15, deciding the new world champions.

Fans can also look forward to live coverage, with matches broadcast on ČT Sport as well as via a streaming platform.