On February 12, 1955, at 10:20 a.m., the Federation of International Bandy (FIB) was born at the Malmen Hotel in Stockholm. At that historic meeting, representatives from Finland, Norway, Russia and Sweden laid the groundwork for the creation of an international organization dedicated to the development of bandy. Gunnar Galin of Sweden was elected as the first president of the federation. A proposal was also put forward to institute a World Bandy Championship, an idea that, over time, has been acclaimed by millions of fans around the world.
The first World Bandy Championship was held in Helsinki, Finland, from February 28 to March 3, 1957, with 14,369 spectators present for the final match between Finland and the USSR. Since that time, bandy has evolved in various forms, consolidating itself as a sport with a great international trajectory.
70 YEARS OF GROWTH AND EXPANSION
On this February 12, 2025, the FIB commemorates seven decades of history and development of bandy worldwide. During these years, 40 men’s World Bandy Championship tournaments, 11 editions of the women’s World Bandy Championship and more than 50 senior club World Cup tournaments have been held.
Photographer Georg Lundqvist and an iconic bandy picture
Since its founding with only four national associations in 1955, the FIB has grown significantly, reaching a total of 28 national federations today. The most recent to join is Italy, which became a member in 2024.
A MORE GLOBAL BANDY FOR THE FUTURE
IBF Secretary General Attila Adamfi highlighted the importance of this anniversary: “This milestone is a testament to the dedication of the athletes, officials and fans who have contributed to the rich history of bandy.” Adamfi also underscored the FIB’s commitment to the continued growth of the sport: “As we look back on these 70 years of achievements, we also look to the future with the goal of further expanding our beloved sport globally.”
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