Zug, Switzerland – Infront Sports & Media, the international sports marketing company, has sealed an advisory partnership with the Slovak Ice Hockey Federation (SIHF), in its role as host of the 2019 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship, to support the organisation of the event. At the Annual IIHF Congress held in Prague last week, the event was awarded to Slovakia which is to stage the tournament across two venues in Bratislava and Kosice from 3 to 19 May 2019.
In its advisory role, Infront will contribute its extensive know-how from the delivery of previous IIHF Ice Hockey World Championships to ensure the smooth running of the event. Infront will support in the event organisation and planning as well as share its commercial expertise for national sponsorship marketing – all in close collaboration with the Local Organising Committee.
Igor Nemecek, President of the Slovakian Ice Hockey Federation, commented: “The return of the IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship to Slovakia enables us to showcase once again our country’s immense passion for the sport. It is both an honour and a great pleasure to host an international tournament of this size and scope, which will undoubtedly build a cornerstone in Slovakia’s sports calendar towards the end of the decade. We are convinced that by again drawing on Infront’s in-depth experience across both the commercial and organisational aspects of the IIHF flagship event, we will fully tie into the previous success of 2011.”
A successful event for all stakeholders
Bruno Marty, Infront’s Executive Director Winter Sports, said: “Back in 2011, the IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship marked the biggest sports event hosted in the country since the foundation of the state of Slovakia. As a result, the country gained the respect and acknowledgement of the global ice hockey community. 2019 now enables the SIHF to surpass this initial hosting success and we look forward to a fruitful collaboration. We will make every effort to create an impactful event for all stakeholders – the global ice hockey community as well as the media and its commercial supporters.”
Infront supported the SIHF throughout the bidding phase, helping to submit a convincing event concept. The tournament will be staged in Bratislava and Kosice – the same venues as in 2011. The main arena of Slovan Bratislava has a capacity of 9,763, the secondary arena of HC Kosice offers 8,347 seats.
About Infront Sports & Media
Infront Sports & Media is the most respected sports marketing company in the world, managing a comprehensive portfolio of top properties. Led by President & CEO Philippe Blatter, Infront covers all aspects of successful sporting events – including distribution of media rights, sponsorship, media production and event operation – and has won a reputation for its high standards of delivery. As the number one player in winter sport and with a leading role in football, summer and endurance sports, Infront enjoys long-lasting partnerships with 160 rights-holders and hundreds of sponsors and media companies. Headquartered in Zug, Switzerland, Infront has a team of 600 experienced staff working from 25 offices across 13 countries, delivering 4,000 event days of top class sport around the world every year.
