Major sponsors of the 2027 men's Ice Hockey World Championship have warned that they could reduce or withdraw their support if Russia's national team is allowed to compete. Their statements followed a Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruling requiring the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) to lift the suspension of Russian national teams imposed in 2022.
Car manufacturer Škoda, the tournament's principal sponsor for more than 30 years, said it would review its involvement if Russia participated. Strauss chief executive Henning Strauss said the company's logo would not appear at the championship in that event, and raised the possibility of withdrawing its sponsorship altogether.
Tire manufacturer Nokian Tyres also warned it would end its support if Russia returned. AJ Products said it intended to demand the removal of its logo from the tournament. The companies' positions differ in how definite they are; they do not mean that all the sponsorship contracts have already been terminated.
The IIHF argues that the implications of the CAS ruling have been underestimated, pointing to visa, security, logistical and organizational issues. The national federations of Finland, Sweden, the Czech Republic, Norway, Denmark, Latvia and Austria — representing seven of the championship's 16 teams — have said they will not play against Russia. Canadian authorities have also opposed Russia's participation in the forthcoming world junior championship in Canada.