Release from 09.09.2025

The win2day ICE Hockey League kicks off its 26th season

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On Friday, September 12, 2025, the puck drops on the 26th season of the win2day ICE Hockey League. With a new team, new milestones, and world-class hockey – live in the arenas, on ORF, or via the new streaming partner Sporteurope.TV – the league once again promises high drama from day one.

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From its foundation to today
The multinational ICE Hockey League was founded in 2000/01 with ten clubs. Five of them remain part of the competition today: EC-KAC, EC VSV, Moser Medical Graz99ers, Steinbach Black Wings Linz, and HC TIWAG Innsbruck. Since then, a total of 24 teams have competed in at least one season – with FTC-Telekom Budapest becoming the 25th club to join in 2025/26.

Records and milestones
Since its launch, the league has seen 45,209 goals scored across 7,395 games. One player stands out above all: Thomas Raffl. With 966 appearances, the forward has suited up in roughly 13% of all league games ever played. If he stays healthy, Raffl will hit the 1,000-game mark in January 2026 – only the second player after Thomas Koch (1,163 games) to do so.

Another milestone awaits EC-KAC: On November 16 in Ljubljana, the record champions will play their 1,500th league game. With 1,482 games and 4,787 goals so far, the KAC lead both all-time categories.

The champions to beat
All eyes will once again be on EC Red Bull Salzburg. The perennial powerhouse claimed its tenth title since the league’s relaunch last season – its fourth consecutive championship. No other club has ever put together such a streak. Their biggest challenger remains EC-KAC, who have celebrated six titles in the multinational league since 2000 (and 32 Austrian championships in club history).

A new face from Budapest
New to the league this season: FTC-Telekom Budapest, 31-time Hungarian champions. Their entry also brings a brand-new national rivalry. For the first time, the win2day ICE Hockey League will feature a Hungarian derby between FTC-Telekom and Hydro Fehérvár AV19. The first clash is set for November 14.

Season start & broadcast coverage
Opening night is Friday, September 12 with six games on the schedule. Just two days later comes an early highlight: a Finals rematch between EC Red Bull Salzburg and EC-KAC, broadcast live on ORF 1.

Fans can watch every game of the season on the new streaming partner Sporteurope.TV. A special early-bird deal is available with the 12-Month Pass at €19.90 per month (instead of €24.90) using promo code ICE5 – only for a limited time. [Click here for the offer.]

The package includes:

  • Valid for 12 months – no automatic renewal
  • Monthly payment
  • Access to all games of all teams – including playoffs
  • Usable across multiple seasons

In addition, up to 30 games per season will be broadcast free-to-air on ORF in Austria – including eight games live on ORF 1.

The format
The win2day ICE Hockey League will stick to its proven format in 2025/26. Until March 1, the 13 teams will play two full home-and-away rounds, totaling 48 games per club. The top six advance directly to the quarterfinals, while teams ranked 7 to 10 battle in the Pre-Playoffs in a best-of-3 series. The quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals will all be played in a best-of-7 format.