Six teams confirmed for Ultimate Hockey – Breaking the Ice in Innsbruck
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 3x3 ice hockey series.
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The event will take place from 10 to 12 April 2026 in front of the Olympiaworld Innsbruck and marks the international launch of Ultimate Hockey as part of the celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of the Olympic Winter 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, highly intense 3x3 format promises fast-paced games, technical excellence and emotional rivalries in a unique urban setting.
“With six strong teams, the sporting standard at our premiere will be outstanding,” said Markus Valier, founder of ProOxy AG. “The mix of traditional ice hockey nations and ambitious programmes reflects exactly what Ultimate Hockey stands for: innovation, opportunity and international networking.”
“The teams are confirmed, 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 much looking forward to taking part, underlining the growing excitement around 3x3 ice hockey. The teams competing in Innsbruck reflect the full strength of our world rankings – from the Top Division to Division I B – thereby guaranteeing a high level of competition from the opening face-off. The launch in Innsbruck provides fans from around the world with a great platform to experience the speed, skill and intensity of 3x3 ice hockey in the heart of a major city, bringing them closer to the action than ever before.”
The participation of host nation Austria adds extra excitement for local fans, while Germany, Hungary, Great Britain, Estonia and the Netherlands will bring diverse playing styles and competitive spirit to the newly designed arena.
The event will be played over three matchdays, featuring a total of 17 games. The teams will compete in two groups, playing a double round-robin group stage, followed by a placement game for 5th and 6th place, the semi-finals, the bronze-medal game and the gold-medal game on Sunday.
As previously announced, the Breaking the Ice Tour combines elite sport with urban entertainment, transforming city centres into vibrant festival venues. Alongside the games, live concerts, DJ performances, street food markets, light installations and interactive experience zones will create a new kind of sports entertainment platform that appeals to young audiences, families and urban communities.
With the line-up now finalised, preparations are entering their final phase as Innsbruck prepares to welcome players and fans from across Europe for the historic first stop of the Ultimate Hockey – Breaking the Ice Tour.
