There were 9 countries participating in the 2003 championships: Finland, Kazakhstan, Norway, Russia, Sweden (group A) and Belarus, Estonia, the Netherlands and the United States (group B).

[1] The competition was originally intended to be played in Norway.

However, on 7 January 2002, the Bandy Association of Norway met and decided to not host the competition.

[2] Both Russia and Sweden showed their interest to host.

By playing the tournament in late March, severe cold was avoided, unlike the 1999 World Championship when the tournament was played in late January and early February.