| Country: | Czech Republic |
| Country2: | Latvia |
| Country3: | Italy |
| Country4: | Iceland |
| Country5: | Mexico |
| Num Teams: | 28 |
| Venues: | 5 |
| Cities: | 5 |
| Nextseason: | 2015 |
The 2014 Women's World Ice Hockey Championships were the 16th such event organized by the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF). This was the first time that the women's tournaments were played in an Olympic year. The IIHF determined that the best way to continue advancing the competitive level of nations not invited to the Olympic tournament was to fund participation every year.[1] No Top Division tournament was played, and initially the IIHF stated that the last-placed Olympic participant would be relegated to be replaced by the Division I Group A winner.[2] However after discussion it was changed so that the two teams in question played best of three series instead of simply swapping places.[3]
See main article: Ice hockey at the 2014 Winter Olympics – Women's tournament.
The last-placed team of the 2014 Olympics faced the winner of the 2014 Division I A tournament in a best-of-three series. The winners, Japan, were promoted to the 2015 Top Division. The event took place in Yokohama, Japan, from 8 to 11 November 2014.[4] [5]
All times are local (Japan Standard Time – UTC+9)
See main article: 2014 IIHF Women's World Championship Division I.
The Division I Group A tournament was played in Přerov, Czech Republic, from 6 to 12 April 2014.[6]
The Division I Group B tournament was played in Ventspils, Latvia, from 6 to 12 April 2014.[7]
See main article: 2014 IIHF Women's World Championship Division II.
The Division II Group A tournament was played in Asiago, Italy, from 6 to 12 April 2014.[8]
The Division II Group B tournament was played in Reykjavík, Iceland, from 24 to 30 March 2014.[9]
The Division II Group B Qualification tournament was played in Mexico City, Mexico, from 19 to 22 March 2014.[10]