Vaillant Arena

The interest in the Spengler Cup Davos continues to be strong.  Seventy-one thousand spectators supported the teams which was one thousand more than the previous year.  The teams in return were sure to provide a fitting spectacle on the ice inside the Vaillant arena which was also enjoyed on television by two million three hundred thousand spectators at home.  The organizers are extremely satisfied since the 2010 Spengler Cup will offer even more.

Seventy-one thousand spectators followed the eleven games of the Spengler Cup Davos.  This means that only very few seats in the Vaillant Arena went unsold.  Just as importantly, the television coverage glued many friends of ice hockey to their televisions during the tournament.  The Swiss television stations SF2, TSR and RSI followed the games, making the tournament available to two million three hundred thousand spectators in Switzerland.  "A particular favorite with the Swiss public throughout the tournament were the games featuring HC Davos," said David Affentranger Head of Press for the Swiss station SF, who confirmed that the Spengler Cup is one of the most watched sporting events in Switzerland.  

An all-around success

The two million three hundred thousand spectators corresponds to an increase approximately of two hundred forty thousand television viewers compared to 2008.  In addition to this, the "ICEDome" received the enthusiastic approval of the visitors, sponsors and partners alike.  Each day around one thousand VIP guests were catered for in the Hospitality Area at the Spengler Cup.  The 2009 edition also saw a historic first-time victor:  the Spengler Cup title was won by the Dynamo Minsk, representing the first time the Cup has been won by a team from Belarus.  Therefore, for the Spengler Cup organizers as well as the marketing company IMG Switzerland AG, the Spengler Cup was an all-around success.

Ever-increasing quality

For the first time in the tournament's history, 2010 will see six teams attending.  The plan is for the first three days of play (December 26th - 28th) to be divided into two groups of three teams each.  The group winners will then play each other in the semi-finals while the second and third place finishers contest the two quarter finals on the fourth day.  On the fifth day the two semi-finals follow with the Final taking its traditional place on New Year's Eve.  Organizational Committee President Fredi Pargätzi is convinced that this new format will elevate the quality of the tournament even higher.  In addition to this, he promises a first class group of teams.  "Besides the title-defender, the teams from the best leagues in Europe will come to the Spengler Cup."  The names of the 2010 teams will be announced this summer.