In September, the Bavarian towns of Landshut and Kaufbeuren - separated by approximately 150 kilometres - were confirmed as hosts for next year's event, due to take place from from April 21 to May 1.

A German Ice Hockey League second tier match between ESV Kaufbeuren and EV Landshut was the stage for the confirmation of the schedule for the IIHF U18 World Championship.

Landshut's renovated Stadtische Eissportanlage will host the matches in Group B, which includes hosts Germany, and then two quarter-finals, both semi-finals and both medal matches in the knockout stage.

Erdgas Schwaben Arena in Kaufbeuren is the venue for Group A fixtures, two quarter-finals and the relegation round.

Russia were runners-up when the IIHF U18 World Championship was held in Frisco and Plano in the United States earlier this year, and will play Belarus in the first match of the tournament in Group B on April 21, which will be followed by 2021 bronze medallists Sweden against Czech Republic.

Germany are due to start their campaign the following day against Belarus.

Defending champions Canada are in Group A and play the United States, the record 10-time winners but who have not won gold since 2017, in their tournament opener in Kaufbeuren on April 21.

That match follows the game between Finland, the four-time winners, including in 2016 and 2018, and Switzerland.

Latvia complete Group A, with their first match scheduled to be against the US on April 22.

The top four teams from each group will advance to the quarter-final, with the two fifth-placed sides competing in a three-leg relegation round to avoid relegation to Division I.