The preliminary round was played in four groups (A-D) with four teams each. The groups A and B form Pool A, the groups C and D form Pool B.
The two last-placed teams of the groups A and B and the two first-placed teams of the groups C and D play for fourth place in group A and B to participate in the Play-Offs of Pool A. The losers of the games between fourth A and first C, fourth B and first D play as first place in group C and D to participate in the Play-Offs of Pool B. The ranking of the groups is based according to the result of the last World Championships' performance of the respective countries in the IIHF Inline Hockey Program and the qualification rounds.
