No research has investigated the effect of opponent world ranking (WR) on locomotor activity within modern (post-2015) international men's hockey. A retrospective analysis of 71 matches (vs. 24 opponents, WR# 12 ± 11, WR# 1-86) investigated the relationships between opponent ranking at team and positional levels, on locomotor activity. Data were analysed using linear mixed modelling to; (1) explore relationships between opponent ranking and locomotor activity and (2) to compare between predefined ranking groups (WR# 1-8 `HIGHER` [n = 8], WR# 9-17 `SIMILAR` [n = 8] and WR >#18 `LOWER` [n = 8]), relative to the reference team (WR# 11). Significant relationships were found between opponent world ranking and total distance (ß = -6.11; p = 0.003), high-speed running ([HSR], ß = -4.87, p < 0.001), sprint distance ([SD], ß = -2.41, p < 0.001), sprint efforts ([SE], ß = -0.10, p < 0.001) and average speed (ß = -0.19, p < 0.001), but not low-speed running (ß = -0.94, p = 0.57). When analysed by ranking groups, HSR, SD and SE increased against HIGHER (+12%-14% vs. grand mean, p < 0.05) and reduced against LOWER teams (-15%-18% vs. grand mean, p < 0.05). The largest differences in SD were observed in forwards (HIGHER +14% and LOWER -19%) and defenders (HIGHER +20% and LOWER -18%). In international hockey, average speed is greatest when facing higher-ranked rather than similarly ranked opponents. Furthermore, high-speed but not low-speed activity, is modulated by opponent ranking.
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