KHL World Games in China: the Shanghai Dragons face Sibir and Barys

Two neutral-site games of the 2025-2026 Fonbet KHL will be held this season, with the Shanghai Dragons hosting Sibir and Barys in Shanghai.

The Shanghai Dragons’ games against Sibir (March 5) and Barys (March 7) will be played at the Oriental Sports Center. The 18,000-seat arena has previously hosted the World Figure Skating Championships (2015), the World Short Track Speed Skating Championships (2012), as well as top-level international events in aquatic sports and e-sports.

The KHL World Games project was launched in the 2018-2019 season, when neutral-site games were held in Vienna, Austria and Zurich, Switzerland. In 2020, the games were hosted by Davos, Switzerland and Tallinn, Estonia, followed by Dubai, UAE in 2021 and Tashkent, Uzbekistan in 2024.

From 2016 to 2020—prior to the introduction of pandemic-related restrictions—the Shanghai Dragons played their home games in China, in Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen.

Figure skater Kamila Valieva will be the special guest of the Shanghai leg of the KHL World Games. A World Junior Champion, multiple-time medalist at the Russian Championships, Russian Cup winner, and participant at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, Valieva will perform in the pre-game show.

Sergey Belykh, Shanghai Dragons’ general director:
— “We have repeatedly stated our intention to play in Shanghai and present our brand to Chinese fans. It is important for us to gauge interest in hockey in the city and understand which direction to move in. We would like to thank the League and our Chinese partners, whose support has made it possible to stage two games in Shanghai. We look forward to welcoming all fans to the games—both local supporters and hockey fans from Russia and Kazakhstan.”

Alexei Morozov, KHL President:
— “Holding KHL World Games matches in Shanghai is an important step towards the League’s return to China. Neutral-site games serve as a tool for promoting the KHL internationally, showcasing the high standard of Russian hockey, and fostering dialogue and cultural exchange through sport. There is no doubt that the games in Shanghai will be organized to a high standard and will be a memorable event for Chinese fans. We look forward to seeing everyone in the stands.”