From China to the Czech Republic, Canada to South Korea, the U.S. Sled Hockey Team knows how to take its show on the road. And while most of their biggest wins and dramatic moments have taken place far from home, one thing lacking from the team’s impressive international resume has been the chance to consistently compete in front of a raucous American crowd.

The last time the Americans skated on home ice came in 2015 when the World Para Ice Hockey Championship came to Buffalo. The home ice advantage fit Team USA very well as the squad went undefeated for the first time in event history, outscoring opponents 29-1 and setting a number of team records in the process.

For the first time in a decade the World Para Ice Hockey Championships will return to U.S. soil and to Buffalo as the LECOM Harborcenter will host the best sled hockey players in the world for an eight-team tournament May 24-31, 2025.

Joining the hosts in Buffalo will be Canada, Czechia, China, Republic of Korea, Slovakia, Norway and Germany. The top five finishers in the tournament will earn qualification spots for the 2026 Paralympic Winter Games in Italy.

“We are thrilled to be returning to the USA for the first time in a decade with our premier event, the World Championships A-Pool,” said Michelle Laflamme, World Para Ice Hockey manager. 

“This edition of the tournament will be more important than ever, as national teams vie for coveted spots at the Paralympic Winter Games, so fans and viewers can expect the most exciting Para ice hockey we’ve seen to date as teams battle it out on the ice.”

It will mark the fourth time the World Para Ice Hockey Championships have been held on home ice, including Buffalo in 2015; Marlborough, Mass., in 2008; and Salt Lake City, Utah, in 2000.

Over the years the U.S. Sled Team has enjoyed the loyal support of family and friends, who travel to the ends of the earth and back for their team. But that small pocket of support can often be drowned out in a building packed with those cheering against you. Having the support of local fans brings added incentive to a team that is already the class of the sled hockey world.

“It gives you that extra little boost to get up in the morning and get ready to go play,” said U.S. team captain Josh Pauls. 

“Even if you have a bad shift and they’re chanting U-S-A, it just makes you want to get back out there and go crush someone or put the puck in the net or do something good.”

Since the inaugural World Para Ice Hockey Championship in 1996, the U.S. has claimed six gold medals and is the only country to win back-to-back and three-consecutive gold medals.

The U.S. will be looking to avenge a stunning loss in last year’s World Championship in Calgary when Canada edged the Americans, 2-1, in the gold-medal game.

For the tournament schedule and ticket information go to paralympic.org.