Fler på is – When the 2025 Ice Hockey World Championship Became More Than World-Class Matches
When the 2025 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship was held in Stockholm, the championship was not only an opportunity to bring together the world’s top ice hockey nations. It also became a platform for getting more children and young people moving. Through the "Fler på isen" (Swedish: More People on the Ice) project, the City of Stockholm worked with the Swedish Ice Hockey Association, the Stockholm Ice Hockey Association, and Fritidsbanken to create a lasting social legacy after the championship.
Children exploring the ice on their own terms
The project was aimed primarily at schoolchildren ages 7 to 13. In 2025, schools were invited to ice rinks where children had the opportunity to try ice skating and get closer to ice hockey through playful activities. For many children, it was their first encounter with the ice — and a chance to discover the joy of movement in an environment that can otherwise feel difficult to access.
Lowering barriers with borrowed equipment
An important part of Fler på isen was lowering barriers. Through the partnership with Fritidsbanken, children were also able to try out full hockey equipment, making it easier to approach the sport regardless of previous experience or access to equipment of their own. In this way, the project became a concrete example of how sports, schools, civil society, and the city can work together to create more equal opportunities for physical activity.
Skates to loan for free from Fritidsbanken
World Championship excitement leading onto the ice
The connection to the 2025 Ice Hockey World Championship gave the initiative extra momentum. Stockholm was one of the host cities for the championship, with a total of 34 games played at Avicii Arena, including the semifinals, bronze medal game, and final. Through Fler på isen , the excitement surrounding the World Championship was used to inspire children and young people to take their own place on the ice — not only as spectators, but as active participants.
Major events can create lasting value
For the City of Stockholm, Fler på isen shows how major sporting events can contribute to more than experiences in the stands. When championships are connected to local initiatives for children and young people, they can create lasting value: more movement, greater inclusion, and more pathways into organized sports. The project is intended to continue even after the World Championship has ended, becoming part of the long-term effort to make Stockholm a more accessible and active sports city.