Release from 11.09.2025

Season Opener on Friday with a Full Round | Semifinal Rematch as the Highlight

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The long wait is finally over: On Friday, the 26th season of the win2day ICE Hockey League gets underway. Action starts at 6:30 PM with league newcomer FTC-Telekom, hosting EC iDM Wärmepumpen VSV in Budapest. Four more matchups follow at 7:15 PM, including the Tyrolean Derby between HC TIWAG Innsbruck and HC Pustertal Wölfe. Finally, at 7:45 PM, the sixth and last game of Opening Night will also be the big highlight: HCB Südtirol Alperia takes on EC Red Bull Salzburg in a semifinal rematch of last season. The Red Bulls took that series 4:1 before lifting their fourth consecutive championship trophy. All games of the new season will be streamed live on our new partner platform Sporteurope.tv.

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The win2day ICE Hockey League on Sporteurope.TV
In the 2025/26 season, every single game will be streamed on Sporteurope.tv. A special offer is available: the 12-Month Pass, which includes all games of all teams – playoffs included – is available only today (Thursday, September 11) at the discounted rate of €19.90 per month. Don’t miss out: aktionen.sporteurope.tv/ice-hockey-league

FTC-Telekom – EC iDM Wärmepumpen VSV
The league newcomer from Budapest hosts Villach in the Tüskecsarnok Arena (capacity: 2,000). The 31-time Hungarian champion won three of six preseason games – the same as VSV. Villach, who fell to Bolzano in last year’s quarterfinals, will be the first team to test the “big unknown.” FTC also reached the quarterfinals of the Erste Liga. The Hungarians already had their first competitive test, winning the Hungarian Supercup 5:0 against Budapest Akademia, with new star Brady Shaw scoring twice.

EC-KAC – Hydro Fehérvár AV19
The second Carinthian team also opens against a Hungarian opponent as EC-KAC hosts Hydro Fehérvár AV19. Last season, Klagenfurt won two of four head-to-head matchups. Fehérvár managed only two preseason wins, while KAC gained valuable experience in the Champions Hockey League, picking up victories against the Eisbären Berlin (3:2) and Odense Bulldogs (6:3).

Steinbach Black Wings Linz – Pioneers Vorarlberg
The Black Wings Linz, semifinalists last season, begin at home against the Pioneers Vorarlberg. Linz celebrated three preseason wins, Vorarlberg four. In 2024/25, Linz had the clear upper hand, winning three of four matchups. At home, the Black Wings have been especially strong, with 12 wins in their last 15 home games.

HC TIWAG Innsbruck – HC Falkensteiner Pustertal
Opening Night already features the Tyrolean Derby. Innsbruck looks to bounce back after a disappointing season, while Pustertal once again aims for the playoffs. Last season, the Wolves dominated the matchup, winning all four games by at least a three-goal margin. In preseason, Innsbruck improved with four wins from six games, while Pustertal won three of six.

Olimpija Ljubljana – Vienna Capitals
A capital clash is also on the schedule: Olimpija Ljubljana hosts the Vienna Capitals. Last season, Ljubljana won all four meetings. Both teams ended up in the pre-playoffs, where their journeys ended. In preseason, both sides recorded three wins – Olimpija in seven games, Vienna in six.

HCB Südtirol Alperia – EC Red Bull Salzburg
The first game day closes with the semifinal rematch: Bolzano vs. Salzburg. The Red Bulls won last year’s series 4:1 and seven of nine total matchups, before securing their fourth consecutive title. In the ongoing Champions Hockey League, both teams have already had four outings: Salzburg started with two wins before two losses, while Bolzano picked up victories in its second and third games.

Find all further info on the new season here.
Watch the 2025/26 Season Kickoff Talk of the win2day ICE Hockey League here.

win2day ICE Hockey League:
Fri, 12.09.2025:
18:30: FTC-Telekom – EC iDM Wärmepumpen VSV
Referees: HRONSKY, SMETANA, Jedlicka, Muzsik

19:15: EC-KAC – Hydro Fehérvár AV19
Referees: HLAVATY, ZRNIC, Bärnthaler, Hribar

19:15: Steinbach Black Wings Linz – Pioneers Vorarlberg
Referees: KAINBERGER, NAGY, Bedynek, Gatol-Schafranek

19:15: HC TIWAG Innsbruck – HC Falkensteiner Pustertal
Referees: NIKOLIC K., NIKOLIC M., Fleischmann, Pardatscher

19:15: Olimpija Ljubljana – Vienna Capitals
Referees: SOOS, STERNAT, Vaczi, Zgonc

19:45: HCB Südtirol Alperia – EC Red Bull Salzburg
Referees: GROZNIK, OFNER, Mantovani, Puff