It's official: the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) will propose the introduction of a new discipline, 3x3, to the program of the 2030 Winter Games in the French Alps. The body announced this on its website, explaining that it is " almost ready » to submit a detailed proposal to the IOC. The concept of 3x3 ice hockey was first presented in the 2017/18 season. Two years later, an exhibition tournament was held at the 2020 Youth Olympic Games in Lausanne. At the request of the IOC, the IIHF then refined its idea for a more official presence at the 2024 Winter Youth Games in South Korea. For the 2030 Winter Games, the body is proposing to use a dedicated ice rink, where the field size – 26 x 18 m – will be smaller than for more traditional hockey (60 x 30 m). What's next? A formal proposal will be submitted to the IOC in January 2025. A final decision is expected in the fourth quarter of 2025. If Lausanne responds favourably, the 3x3 tournament at the 2030 Winter Games in France would include 240 additional hockey players. In the meantime, the IIHF announced the organization of a women's 3x3 world championship in November in Brazil, then a men's world championship in April or May 2025. The competition will then be expanded to eight teams from 2026.
