The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has lifted the ban on Russian ice hockey teams competing internationally, according to a decision announced on October 30, 2026.
The ruling allows Russian national and club teams to participate in International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) events and other global competitions, ending a suspension that had been in place since the aftermath of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.
The ban was originally imposed following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which led to widespread sanctions across international sports. The CAS decision follows an appeal by the Russian Ice Hockey Federation.
A file photo from the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics shows Russian and Swiss players competing in a preliminary round match at the National Indoor Stadium.
