Olympics looking to add another form of hockey to the 2030 Games

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Cooper Godin
October 4, 2024 (6:15 PM)

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New hockey event could be coming to the 2030 Olympics in the French Alps if the IIHF's proposal is successful.

National Hockey League players are returning to the Winter Olympics in 2026 and again in 2030. It's a great moment for the sport with the return of its best players to the Olympic stage for the first time since 2014 in Sochi, Russia, but could we see the addition of a new hockey event in six years? The IIHF is hoping so.

Recently, the International Ice Hockey Federation met for their Semi-Annual Congress in Greece and among the topics discussed was their proposal of a new 3-on-3 event beginning at the 2030 Winter Olympics, which is being held in the French Alps.

"Proposals to introduce 3x3 hockey as an Olympic event in 2030 are coming close to D-day. Since the 2017/18 season, the IIHF has been developing a 3x3 tournament format, trialling different set-ups at the Youth Olympic Games in Lausanne 2020 and Gangneung 2024. More recently, test events involving senior players have been staged in various countries and a further tournament is planned for Brazil in November.

The International Olympic Committee is seeking proposals for new disciplines for the 2030 Winter Games in France and the IIHF is preparing its submission ahead of the Jan. 2025 deadline. A decision would be expected in March." The IIHF said.

During the congress, IIHF President Luc Tardif told member nations that the intention is to send eight men's teams and eight women's featuring a total of 240 players to the 2030 Winter Olympics for a 3-on-3 tournament. The International Olympic Committee is seeking proposals for new events for the 2030 Olympics and with the success of 3-on-3 basketball and Rugby 7s, Tardif feels like it's hockey's turn.

"The boost that 3x3 basketball, rugby sevens or beach volleyball had on the original discipline was something that they never expected. It had a huge impact on recruitment and financial opportunity.

There is an open door for hockey. This is our time." Tardif said.

This isn't the first time the IIHF's President has been wanting to push for 3-on-3 hockey as he indicated back in 2022 that they'd make a push for the inclusion of 3-on-3 hockey at the Olympics, with an ideal target of 2030.

The International Olympic Committee's proposal deadline is in January 2025 and a decision on 3-on-3 hockey in 2030 is expected to be announced at some point in March.