17/02/2026
The European Pond Hockey Championship Once Again Excites the International Hockey Community 🏒
Once again this year, the European Pond Hockey Championship proved why it has long been much more than just a sporting event. Around 85 teams from seven nations gathered for the international tournament played in classic pond hockey style, united by the desire to celebrate hockey in its purest form: fast, fair, and full of passion – true to the motto “Back to the Roots.”
At the heart of the tournament were speed, skill, fair play, and a strong sense of community. Teams from Italy, Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, and the United States brought an international flair and high-level matchups to the ice.
On the sporting side, the Dirty Danglers from Bad Tölz claimed victory in the thrilling TopCup final. A decisive contribution also came from South Tyroleans Simon Berger and Felix Lintner. Second place went to the Czech team AS-Hockey. In Friday evening’s corporate tournament, the Gloriette Guesthouse team celebrated a convincing 5–1 win over Team Loacker. The LadiesCup title went to the Turbotampons, while in the KidsCup Caldaro (U8 category) and Unterland (U10 category) also claimed victory. Another highlight was the Skills Competition, where Alex Heiss secured first prize – a 75-inch television. Open even to spectators without skates, the Skills Competition once again proved to be one of the most popular attractions. The grand prize further heightened the excitement and enthusiasm.
Special attention was also given to young players: in the children’s tournament, the youngest participants had the opportunity to showcase their skills on the ice. Part of the proceeds from the European Pond Hockey Championship goes directly to youth hockey development, with the clear aim of making the sport accessible to all generations.
The Championship thrives on the passionate involvement of the entire hockey community – from youth teams and amateur squads to former players. Off the ice, the atmosphere remained lively throughout the weekend: live music and DJs fueled the celebrations, while a magic show provided moments of amazement and entertainment. Once again, one of the most anticipated highlights was the legendary “Eule” party, which has enjoyed cult status for years and is known far beyond the hockey scene.
It is no coincidence that the European Pond Hockey Championship takes place on the Ritten: ice hockey has been played here since the early 20th century. The legendary Rittner Cracks gathered winter after winter on Lake Costalovara, where one of Italy’s first hockey clubs was founded in 1928. As soon as temperatures drop below freezing, hockey becomes an integral part of the weekend here.
Pond Hockey remains a cult classic:
The organizing committee looks back on this year’s edition with great satisfaction. A heartfelt thank you goes to the many volunteers, partners, and sponsors: without their dedication and valuable support, an event of this scale would not be possible.
And once the event ends, preparations for the next one begin: the next edition will certainly return – and one thing is clear: the European Pond Hockey Championship is and remains a flagship event for the international pond hockey community, and a strong symbol of friendship, community, and hockey in its purest form.
