France and Germany - two nations who have endured a huge rivalry both in a historic and a sporting sense – will come together to host games at Cologne’s Lanxess Arena and the recently refurbished Palais Omnisports Bercy in Paris.

The two venues offer a total of 886,000 tickets for the 64 games, an Ice Hockey World Championship record.

Paris’ venue, which hosts 14,500 fans following the refurbishment, is expected to become the largest ever secondary venue at a World Championships.

“We are two nations but we are one host,” said Organising Committee general secretary Henner Ziegfeld during the ongoing 2016 edition in Russia.

“That’s what we are trying to sum up in our slogan: ‘Together for 2017.’"

Germany also hosted the Championships in 2010 but France have not played host of the top tier men's event since 1968.

“I’d like to thank the IIHF [International Ice Hockey Federation] for giving this opportunity to a country like us,” added Luc Tardiff, President of the French Ice Hockey Federation.

“It would be a bit too much for us to welcome 16 teams on our own but now we can share the experience of our partner.

“I think this will show a way forward for other countries like France.”

This comes after Sweden and Finland also co-hosted both the 2012 and 2013 editions.

Action is expected to take place from May 5 to 21 next year.

The group phase and quarter-final games will be shared between the two host cities, while the final stages will be in Cologne.

Tickets are already on sale and are available via the official tournament website here.