The 2002 IIHF World U18 Championships were held in Piešťany and Trnava, Slovakia. The championships began on April 11, 2002, and finished on April 21, 2002. Games were played at Zimny Stadion in Piešťany and Zimny Stadion in Trnava. The US team finished first in the final round to capture the gold, while Russia and the Czech Republic captured the silver and bronze medal respectively. USA and Russia played the last game of the final round to determine the medals. Needing to beat Russia by two goals, USA led 2–1 with a minute remaining. They pulled their goalie, leading to Zach Parise's gold medal-winning goal with thirty seconds remaining.

 Germany,  Norway, and  Ukraine are relegated to Division I for the 2003 IIHF World U18 Championships.

The Division I tournament was played in Celje and Maribor, Slovenia, from 23 to 29 March 2002. With the temporary expansion of the top level to twelve teams because of the late inclusion of Canada, Division I was left short one team. France, the previous year's runner up in Division II was invited, but failed to respond, so the tournament was played with only seven teams.

 Kazakhstan were promoted to the top level, and no team was relegated for the 2003 IIHF World U18 Championships.

The Division II tournament was played in Briançon, France, from 22 to 29 March 2002. With North Korea's absence, Romania (the previous year's Division III runners-up) gained a late promotion into this tournament.

With the forthcoming reorganization into twelve team divisions,  France,  Poland, and  Great Britain were all promoted to Division I, and no team was relegated for the 2003 IIHF World U18 Championships.

The Division III tournament was played in Elektrėnai and Kaunas, Lithuania, from 5 to 9 March 2002.

With the forthcoming reorganization into twelve team divisions, everyone but  Turkey were promoted to Division II, and no team was relegated for the 2003 IIHF World U18 Championships.