Originally scheduled to comprise six tournaments across four divisions, the event was significantly curtailed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

[1] Only the Top Division tournament was maintained, bringing the number of participating nations from 42 to 10.

With only one tournament held, the standard system of promotion and relegation between divisions and groups was not implemented and each team remained in the tournament pool designated for the 2021 event at the 2022 championships.

[2][3] It was cancelled in Nova Scotia on 21 April 2021, with the IIHF and Hockey Canada looking for a new host for summer 2021.

The Division I Group A tournament was scheduled to be held in Angers, France, from 11 to 18 April 2021.