Swiss Ice Hockey Launch New National Cup Competition

Switzerland will have a national ice hockey cup competition in the 2014/15 season for the first tiem since 1966, health following the launch of the Swiss Ice Hockey Cup by the Swiss Ice Hockey Fedaration and InfrontRingier.

The new tournament will feature 32 teams – all 12 National League A clubs along with National League B and Regional League teams. There will be five rounds, with the winner of each fixture advancing to the next round. 

The draw for the first round will take place in May 2014.

Marc Furrer, President of the Swiss Ice Hockey Federation, said: “Switzerland has a strong ice hockey league which deserves an adjoining cup competition. Ice hockey teams play for trophies – now, aside from the Swiss Championship, we have an additional title opportunity.

“In addition, top-level ice hockey gets spread throughout the country out to the periphery and fosters the ice hockey tradition at its fundament. The cup system will ensure suspension and emotion during the advancing competition. Together with InfrontRingier we have managed to develop a concept that perfectly complements the league and fits in with the exciting ice hockey culture of our country.”

Armin Meier, Managing Director of InfrontRingier, added: “Ice hockey is ranked among the top 3 most popular sports in Switzerland – high TV ratings and sold out stadiums illustrate the immense public interest. These are ideal conditions for a new competition format: The teams can fight for an additional valuable title, the fans can enjoy exciting knock out games and, for winter sport enthused companies, new cross seasonal sponsorship options are offered.”

The new tournament will be centrally marketed by InfrontRingier.