In preparation for the new 2026/27 ice hockey season, EC Red Bull Salzburg will play two more test games in addition to the Red Bulls Salute in Zell am See-Kaprun before starting the regular season of the Champions Hockey League from September 3rd.
The Red Bulls begin the test phase before the new 2026/27 season with two games against Czech first division teams. On August 12th, Salzburg will play in České Budějovice against HC Motor České Budějovice, who were eliminated last season in the Tipsport Extraliga in ninth place in the pre-playoffs. The traditional Czech club with over 100 years of history welcomes its guests in the Budvar Aréna with a capacity of 6,421 spectators. Budweis’ last major success came in 2022 with third place in the Extraliga.
Three days later, on August 15th, Thomas Raffl & Co will face Mountfield HK in Hradec Králové. The club has been playing in the top Czech league since 2013 and last season reached the quarter-finals as fourth in the regular season. Three years ago, the Czechs recorded their best placement in the top league to date when they took part in the final. Mountfield HK plays its home games in the ČPP Aréna with a capacity of 6,890 spectators.
Red Bull’s salute
A week later, from 21st to 22nd. August, the international invitation tournament Red Bulls Salute takes place in Zell am See-Kaprun. EC Red Bull Salzburg meets EHC Red Bull Munich at the start of the semi-finals. The second semi-final will be contested by the top European teams EHC Biel-Bienne and HC Dynamo Pardubice. The game for third place and the final follow on the second match day.
The regular season of the Champions Hockey League starts on September 3rd. The Red Bulls’ opponents will be drawn on May 27th in Zurich. The game dates will then be fixed.
The Red Bulls program at a glance
Test match in Budějovice (CZE)
08/12/26 | 5:30 p.m. | HC Motor Ceske Budejovice – EC Red Bull Salzburg
Test match in Hradec Králové (CZE)
08/15/26 | 5:00 p.m. | Mountfield HK – EC Red Bull Salzburg
Red Bulls Salute in Zell am See
08/21/26 | 7:30 p.m. | EHC Red Bull Munich – EC Red Bull Salzburg
08/22/26 | 3:00 p.m. or 7:00 p.m. vs. EHC Biel-Bienne or HC Dynamo Pardubice
CHL Regular Season
3rd-6th Sep | 10th-13th Sep
6th-7th Oct | 13th-14th Oct
ecrbs.redbulls.com , Image: EC Red Bull Salzburg
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