The ticket sale for the 2017 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship in Cologne and Paris (5-21 May) is entering its next stage. There is continuously strong demand for tickets of the German national team’s game days at the LANXESS arena in Cologne.

“No tickets available at this moment,” was recently the message in the ticket portal for the opening day on 5th May in Cologne when Sweden will face off against Russia at 16:15. Germany will play against Team USA in the second game at 20:15 in a new edition of the legendary opening game of the 2010 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship.

That event took place in front of almost 80,000 spectators who flocked to the “Auf Schalke” football arena in Gelsenkirchen. Germany coached by Uwe Krupp won 2-1 and created a wave of excitement and enthusiasm in the whole country which propelled the team to a top-four tournament finish.

In 2017, that much is sure: The LANXESS arena in Cologne will also be sold out. 18,500 spectators will be there when Germany's national team coached by Marco Sturm will play its opening game.

Hockey fans who are still looking for tickets can now purchase tickets in different categories as part of special offers. There’s still a contingent of 250 tickets left for the opening day games at the LANXESS arena that will be made available. These day passes will go on sale starting Wednesday, 30th November at 10:00 until supplies last.

Judging by the ticket sales numbers, every game of the German national team will be played in front of capacity crowds. Low availability still exists for Germany vs. Russia on 8th May (3,000 tickets left) and Germany vs. Italy on 13th May (4,500 tickets).

When Germany plays on weekdays, there is generally better availability compared to games played on weekends. For example on Wednesday, 10th May, for Germany vs. Slovakia. Or on Tuesday, 16th May, for Germany vs. Latvia. Both are supposed to be key games for the hosting team.

The indications are, however, that single-game tickets for games of the Germany national team will be hard to come by when they go on sale in the spring of 2017. Spectators interested in a 10% price discount and purchasing Team Germany tickets for certain games should act now. This will be the only way to assure you will see all the contests you want to watch.

To experience a day of international world-class ice hockey at the spectacular LANXESS arena is, by the way, a wonderful Christmas present - not only for hockey fans!

• Tickets can be bought on www.iihfworlds2017.com or facebook.com/iihfhockey.
• Or via ticket phone: +49 1806 2017 01 for Germany and +33 892 69 20 17 for France (phone charges will apply depending on country and network you call from).