Release from 08.01.2024

Fan boom in the win2day ICE Hockey League

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The win2day ICE Hockey League has experienced a fan boom over the past seven gamedays, with 132,706 spectators watching the 42 games in the arenas between December 22nd and January 6th. Within this period, 13 games were sold out. With 24,031 fans, January 6th was the best-attended matchday in the last six years.

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The 13 teams in the win2day ICE Hockey League welcomed a total of 132,706 spectators to the arenas over the last seven gamesdays. The 42 games played between December 22nd and January 6th were watched live by an average of 3,159 fans – 600 more than the season average.

A comparison with the 42 games played at the same time in the past season (last gameday before Christmas to January 6th; note) shows an increase in spectators of 15%.

Best attended gameday in six years
On January 6th, 2024, the win2day ICE Hockey League recorded its best-attended gameday in six years, with 24,031 fans attendings the six games on Epiphany. On January 5th, 2018, there were 25,160 spectators in the arenas. In the last six seasons, including the current campaign, more than 20,000 fans have been counted eight times. Following the restrictions associated with COVID-19, the 20,000 mark has only been reached twice.



Record attendance at South Tyrolean derby

The South Tyrolean derby between HCB Südtirol Alperia and HC Pustertal Wölfe on January 6th was the best-attended fixture in the last seven gamedays and also this season. Due to the large number of fans, the last sectors in the Sparkasse Arena were also opened a few hours before face-off. In the end, 6,856 spectators watched the Wolves' 4-1 road win at the Palaonda. This was the first time a regular-season home game for the Foxes had been sold out since they are part of the league.

13 games sold-out at seven locations
Seven teams were able to enjoy a sold-out home game at least once on the last few gameddays. In total, 13 of the 42 games were filled to capacity. The EC-KAC even had no tickets available for the last five games in a row, while local rivals EC iDM Wärmepumpen VSV and Migross Supermercati Asiago Hockey also had three sold-out home games in a row. Steinbach Black Wings Linz sold out on December 30th for the first time since the 2020 quarter-finals. HCB Südtirol Alperia, HC Pustertal Wölfe and Hydro Fehérvár AV19 also played once at home in front of full stands.

Growth of twelve percent in the 23/24 season
Overall, the win2day ICE Hockey League has recorded a twelve percent increase in spectators in the arenas this season. On average, 2,559 fans attend the games of the multinational league. The EC-KAC (3,974) and the spusu Vienna Capitals (3,831) are the most popular teams.

>> Attandance

Fotocredit: Vanna Antonello (HCB)