ÖEHV working on a new league struc­ture from the 2025/2026 season

A total of four clubs have withdrawn from the ALPS Hockey League in recent months, with Vienna having already left in 2022. The message was unanimous: in its current form, the league is no longer financially viable for the clubs. Factors such as rising costs in general and extensive travel requirements represent additional financial burdens.

In addition, school-age youngsters in the farm teams have to accept considerable absences from lessons despite elite sport models. At semi-professional clubs such as HC Fassa and EHC Lustenau, many players have jobs alongside ice hockey. The high number of games is no longer manageable for these players. An ÖEHV analysis shows that it is becoming increasingly clear that the AHL has developed into a “professional competition” that is no longer financially sustainable for many clubs.

“Based on the events of recent months, numerous discussions with club officials and our internal analysis of the current situation, we have decided to develop, within a year, a comprehensive league product designed and managed by the ÖEHV. The overall concept is intended to provide Austrian clubs with an attractive and financially affordable option, while enabling young Austrian players to play ice hockey at a high sporting level outside the win2day ICE Hockey League and ALPS Hockey League as well,” explains ÖEHV President Klaus Hartmann the rationale behind a new league structure.

“A national 2nd-tier league under the ÖEHV umbrella makes it possible to define our own framework conditions, such as the number of games, the competition format and squad regulations, that meet the needs of Austrian clubs. Affordable participation fees, lower travel costs and a reduced number of games can significantly reduce the actual costs,” elaborates ÖEHV Vice-President Günther Ropatsch.

ÖEHV Sports Director Roger Bader: “One of the main arguments is that this creates a platform on which promising domestic talents from the U18 and U20 age groups can develop at an appropriate performance level. This enables players who have not received a professional contract to remain in ice hockey and creates greater depth overall. In turn, this should increase the pool of players available for selection to the representative teams.”

A national league would also help promote regional identity in Austrian ice hockey once again.

Initial considerations envisage the league consisting of various traditional clubs, for example those currently involved in the ÖEL and interested in a semi-professional league competition, or those that are unable or no longer wish to participate in the AHL for financial reasons. However, every club remains free to continue participating in the AHL or to join it anew. All Austrian clubs will also continue to be professionally represented on the Board of Governors (BOG) in the AHL by a representative from the ÖEHV Executive Board.

The ÖEHV aims to create a continuous league structure (from U11 to senior level), with particular emphasis on a strong U20 league both qualitatively and quantitatively, as this age group marks the end of youth development.

The new league is intended to provide a home particularly for young domestic players who have not yet made the step up to a professional club, or who are on their way there.

“We need a semi-professional second-tier league that clubs can also afford financially,” stresses Klaus Hartmann.