From both a sporting and an economic perspective, Organising Committee President Marc Gianola is highly satisfied with the 97th edition of the Spengler Cup. Looking ahead to the future line-up of participants, Gianola sees promising prospects and several possible options.

Overall, the balance is almost the same as in previous years, says Marc Gianola. “Our hockey festival keeps getting better – and at a very high level. We saw wonderful hockey. All teams took the tournament seriously. There are hardly any boring games anymore, perhaps an occasional period where a bit less is happening. You can see that the teams enjoy coming to the Spengler Cup and want to come back. That’s why they commit themselves so fully.”

Economically, too, the tournament was a huge success. All eleven games were sold out, and marketing was already fully booked before the first puck drop. “I don’t yet have the figures from the surrounding activities, such as the fan zone,” Gianola adds. “But based on the feedback that we had too few seats, I assume it went extremely well there too.” In Loft 23, the VIP area, performance was slightly better than the previous year. Here, the OC President identifies “some room for improvement of around five to six percent. That said, the Loft is already operating at a very high level, in a different price segment.”

Spectacular Final
HCD secured the winner’s trophy in a spectacular final with a 6–3 victory over the US College Selects – only in the final five minutes of the game, thanks to a quick double strike by Filip Zadina and Enzo Corvi, followed by an empty-net goal from Matej Stransky. “Two stories were written in this final. One was that of a young American college selection, where nobody really knew in advance what to expect. They impressed with very refreshing hockey,” says Gianola. “On the other side was HCD, who – as they did a year ago against DEL team Straubing – faced a very demanding schedule but repeatedly found tactical solutions, allowing them to win the final despite having many games in their legs.”

Contracts with Team Canada and Finland Expire
The college team was also enthusiastic about the Spengler Cup and would like to return to Davos. Gianola confirms: “The student selection delighted everyone.” However, the OC President now faces a special situation: the contracts with Team Canada – which has played its way into the hearts of spectators with its full commitment since 1984 – and with the Finnish Ice Hockey Association expired at the end of 2025. Although Finland has not won a single game at the Spengler Cup since 2019, it represents Scandinavian hockey, which is highly relevant at world level. “We are aiming for a balanced field of participants that can challenge one another,” says Gianola. “It is the responsibility of the sports department to evaluate this over the next three to four weeks.” At the same time, the OC President adds a note of caution: “These are partnerships that have lasted a very long time; you don’t want to offend anyone.”

As things stand today, the OC assumes that a second Swiss team will once again take part in the 98th Spengler Cup alongside HCD. As always, information will be communicated early – as soon as the participating teams are confirmed.

Source: Davoser Zeitung    Photo: KEYSTONE/Melanie Duchene