The Slovenian town stepped in to stage the event, where six countries will battle it out to secure a place in the top tier of world ice hockey at under-18 level, following a lack of bidders.

None of the IIHF’s members pledged to hold the competition, due to run from April 7 to 13 next year, at the organisation's Congress.

The Slovenian Ice Hockey Association then opted to ask the IIHF if they could hold the tournament and their hosting of the event has now been ratified by the sport’s worldwide governing body.

It came after consultation with the six participating teams - Denmark, Germany, Kazakhstan, France, Norway and Hungary - who all agreed the Under-18 World Championship Division I Group A should be given to the town, located in the north of Slovenia.

Bled will then stage the Division I Group B event from April 15 to 21, guaranteeing fans of the sport in the region almost an entire month of high-quality under-18 ice hockey competition.

The events form a key part of the ice hockey calendar at under-18 level, with the winners of each competition earning promotion to the next step on the pyramid.

They are scheduled to be held either side of the main Under-18 World Championships, due to be held in Poprad and Spisska Nova Ves in Slovakia from April 13 to 23.

Defending champions Finland, Canada, Slovakia, Switzerland, Latvia form Group A, while Sweden, runners-up at this year’s event, the United States, Russia, Czech Republic, Belarus compete in Group B.

Bled has extensive experience in hosting IIHF events as it held the 2016 IIHF Ice Hockey Women’s World Championship Division II Group A earlier this year.

The 2011 IIHF Ice Hockey Under-20 World Championship Division I Group B event also took place in Bled.