section_path: Abstract
section_name: Abstract
paragraph_text: The 2025 IIHF World Championship was co-hosted by Stockholm, Sweden, and Herning, Denmark, from 9 to 25 May 2025. This decision regarding Sweden was made at the 2018 semi-annual International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) congress in Malta, and was officially announced on 24 May 2019, at the IIHF's annual congress during the World Championships in Bratislava, Slovakia. At the same time, it was announced that Denmark would co-host the championship.
  
  In the quarterfinals, co-host country Denmark defeated Canada by a 2–1 score, in what was widely considered one of the biggest upsets in IIHF World Championship history. Denmark subsequently played in their first-ever semifinal, while Canada did not finish in the top four for the first time since 2014. Since the IIHF re-introduced a playoff system in 1992, the United States reached the World Championship final for the first time after having lost 12 consecutive semifinals, and secured their World Championship medal for the first time since winning bronze in 2021. After losing their semifinal and the subsequent bronze medal game, Denmark finished in the top four for the first time in tournament history.
  
  The United States won the gold medal for the first time since 1960 and their third overall (also in 1933). It was also their first top two finish since 1960. Switzerland lost its fourth consecutive final.
  
  This tournament was also the first time since the 2019 IIHF World Championship that both promoted teams (Hungary and Slovenia) stayed in the top division.