The Court of Arbitration for Sport on Friday overturned the International Ice Hockey Federation's ban on Russia, BBC Sport and AP report. Russian teams are now set to play in federation events in the 2026-27 season, including the men's and women's world championships, the outlets report.

Russia has been barred from the federation's events since it invaded Ukraine in February 2022, the outlets report. Earlier this year, the federation's council kept the ban in place after a review, BBC Sport reports. The Russian federation appealed to the court, which held a hearing in Lausanne, Switzerland. The court said the hockey body's safety concerns were not backed by enough evidence, BBC Sport and AP report.

AP says the court's ruling did not address whether Russia must play without national symbols. BBC Sport says it is unclear what limits, if any, will apply to flags or the national anthem. Russian athletes took part in this year's Winter Olympics under a neutral flag, but Russia missed the Olympic hockey events, the outlets report.

The federation said it disagrees and "maintains that its decisions were necessary to protect the safety and security of all participants," the outlets report. It said it will respect the ruling. It also said the court did not weigh practical issues such as schedules, travel and security, BBC Sport reports. Russian Sports Minister Mikhail Degtyaryov welcomed the decision on Telegram, AP reports.

Germany hosts next year's men's world championship in May, the outlets report. AP says the ruling is an immediate test for the federation's new president, Franz Reindl, who is German. BBC Sport says Ukraine has qualified for the tournament. Russia has won the men's title five times since 1991 but has never won the women's title, the outlet reports.

What we know: Russia's hockey teams can return to world championship events next season.
What we don't: Whether they will play under their own flag.