Great Britain, Austria, Estonia, Germany, Hungary and the Netherlands will take part in the historic tour opener
The line-up for the first ever Ultimate Hockey – Breaking the Ice Tour event in Innsbruck is now complete and Great Britain Men will be part of it.
Five other teams – Austria, Estonia, Germany, 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 10 to 12 – before the Olympiaworld Innsbruck – and marks the international launch of Ultimate Hockey as part of the celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the Innsbruck Winter Olympics.
The confirmed countries represent a dynamic cross-section of established and emerging hockey nations, underscoring the international ambition of the Breaking the Ice Tour.
The compact and intensive 3×3 format promises fast-paced games, technical excellence and emotional rivalry in a unique urban environment.
“With six strong teams confirmed, the sporting level of our premiere event will be excellent,” said Markus Valier, founder of ProOxy AG.
“The mix of traditional hockey countries and ambitious programs reflects exactly what Ultimate Hockey stands for: innovation, opportunity and international connectivity.”
IIHF President Luc Tardif said: “The teams have been confirmed, the city is ready and now the stage is set for an incredible
competition.
“We have received a very strong response from our member federations keen to participate, which underlines the growing excitement around 3×3 ice hockey.
“The teams competing in Innsbruck reflect the full strength of our world rankings – from the Top Division through to Division IB – and guarantee a highly competitive level of ice hockey from the opening match.
“The kick-off in Innsbruck will provide fans around the world with a great platform to showcase the speed, skill and…
intensity of 3×3 ice hockey in the heart of a big city and bring them closer to the action than ever before.
The event will be played over three game days with a total of 17 matches. The teams compete in two groups and play in a double round-robin format in the group stage, followed by a seeding game to determine ranks five and six, semi-final, bronze and gold medal games.
The Breaking the Ice Tour combines top-level sport with urban entertainment, transforming city centers into vibrant festival environments.
In addition to the competitions, live concerts, DJ performances, street food markets, light installations and interactive experience zones will create a new kind of sports entertainment platform that attracts young audiences, families and urban communities.
With the team selection finalized, preparations enter their final stages as Innsbruck prepares to welcome players and fans from across Europe for the historic first stop of the Ultimate Hockey – Breaking the Ice Tour.
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