IIHF launches new compe­ti­tion with the Euro­pean Cup of Nations

As a key initiative within the IIHF's ICE26 strategic plan, this new tournament series represents an important step in the development of the sport across Europe, the IIHF explains on its website. The European Cup of Nations is intended to transform international breaks into a platform for meaningful, competitive international matches. 

Together with the national member associations (MNAs), the IIHF will continue to work on establishing the European Cup of Nations, with the long-term goal of developing a sustainable, marketable product that promotes both player development and fan engagement between major tournaments.

“This is a major step for European ice hockey,” says Luc Tardif, IIHF President. “For years, our national member associations have called for a framework that provides consistency and purpose during national team breaks. With the European Cup of Nations, we are finally offering a product that has the potential to further develop the sport across the entire region – both from a sporting and commercial perspective.”

ÖEHV Sporting Director Roger Bader: “The European Cup of Nations is definitely an exciting project that we are looking forward to. There are currently still some open questions, which will hopefully be clarified soon. This season, our focus is first on the Deutschland Cup next November, and if matches against our neighbours are to be played for points in future, that will certainly create additional excitement.”

Participating nations

Germany, Slovakia, Latvia, Norway, Denmark, Austria, Hungary, Poland, France, Slovenia, Great Britain, Italy, the Netherlands, Lithuania, Estonia, Spain and Romania.
 
All matches are to be broadcast live worldwide on IIHF TV.