The list of participants for the first Ultimate Hockey – Breaking the Ice Tour event in Innsbruck is now complete. Six teams – Austria, Estonia, Germany, Great Britain, Hungary and the Netherlands – have officially confirmed their participation in the world premiere of the new 3×3 ice hockey series.
The event will take place from April 10th to 12th, 2026 in front of Olympiaworld Innsbruck and marks the international launch of ultimate hockey as part of the celebrations for the 50th anniversary of the Winter Olympic Games in Innsbruck.
The confirmed nations represent a dynamic cross-section of established and emerging ice hockey nations, underlining the international ambitions of the Breaking the Ice Tour. The compact and high-intensity 3×3 format promises fast-paced games, technical excellence and emotional rivalries in a unique urban setting.
Interesting mix of participants
“With six strong teams, the sporting level of our premiere will be excellent,” said Markus Valier, founder of ProOxy AG. “The mix of traditional ice hockey nations and ambitious programs reflects exactly what ultimate hockey stands for: innovation, opportunity and international networking.”
“The teams are set, the city is ready – and now the stage is set for an incredible competition,” said IIHF President Luc Tardif. “We have received very positive feedback from our member associations, who are very excited to take part, which underlines the growing enthusiasm for 3×3 ice hockey. The teams competing in Innsbruck reflect the full strength of our world rankings – from the Top Division to Division IB – guaranteeing a high level of competition from the first face-off. The start in Innsbruck offers fans from all over the world a great platform to experience the speed, skill and intensity of the To experience 3×3 hockey right in the heart of a major city and bring you closer to the action than ever before.”
The participation of host country Austria provides additional excitement for local fans, while Germany, Hungary, Great Britain, Estonia and the Netherlands bring diverse playing styles and competitive spirit to the newly designed arena.
The event will be played over three match days with a total of 17 games. Teams will compete in two groups and play in a group stage in a double round-robin format, followed by a placement game for fifth and sixth places, the semifinals, the bronze medal game and the gold medal game on Sunday.
Festival feeling with food trucks and DJs and live concerts
As previously announced, the Breaking the Ice Tour combines elite sport with urban entertainment, transforming city centers into vibrant festival venues. In addition to the games, live concerts, DJ performances, street food markets, light installations and interactive experience zones create a new type of sports entertainment platform that attracts young audiences, families and urban communities.
Now that the team lineup has been finalized, preparations are entering their final phase as Innsbruck prepares to welcome players and fans from all over Europe to the historic first stop of the Ultimate Hockey – Breaking the Ice Tour.
www.eishockey.at
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