The 2009 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships was the 73rd such event hosted by the International Ice Hockey Federation. Teams representing 46 countries participated in four levels of competition. The competition also served as qualifications for the 2010 competition. In the Division I Championship held in April, Kazakhstan and Italy were promoted to the Championship division, while Australia and Romania were demoted to Division II. In the Division II competition, Serbia and South Korea were promoted, North Korea and South Africa were relegated to Division III. In the Division III competition, New Zealand and Turkey were promoted to Division II for 2009.