Not only in the Czech Republic, but across the entire hockey universe, there are only a few teams that enjoy a reputation comparable to Sparta Prague. The capital club is the pride of a nation, one of Europe’s most renowned sports organizations – and this year it has its sights set on winning a third Spengler Cup title.

Sparta is on the upswing. In the penultimate season, they finished the regular season in second place, while in 2024/25 they dominated at the top – with a 13-point lead over their closest challenger, Mountfield. Yet in the playoffs, their dream was shattered in the decisive seventh semifinal game: in 2024 against Třinec, and this year against Brno – both times against the eventual champion. The hunger for a title is correspondingly great. Ideally, Sparta wants nothing less than a treble – the league championship, the Spengler Cup, and the Champions Hockey League.

Strong Performances in Europe
So far, Sparta has impressed in the Champions Hockey League. Only one defeat mars their record, while victories against Klagenfurt, Luleå, and Frölunda secured sixth place in the regular season standings – a solid position for making the playoffs. On October 7, they face defending champions ZSC Lions before Grenoble visits Prague for the final group stage game.
In the domestic league, however, things haven’t gone entirely to plan. After ten rounds, head coach Pavel Gross’s team sits ninth at the end of September with five wins and five losses. The gap to leaders Budějovice is only seven points – a margin that can quickly be closed.

Tradition and Passion
For decades, HC Sparta Praha has stood for ambition and passion. The storied club is also heading to Davos with clear ambitions: to win the tournament. Sparta has already claimed the Spengler Cup twice (1962, 1963), and in 2022 they narrowly missed out on a third title – losing in a dramatic shootout to Ambrì-Piotta after four and a half tense minutes.
Now, on their 11th appearance in Davos, they want to finally make it happen again. Alongside them will be their loyal supporters, who have followed the team faithfully for years. “Our fans are incredibly loyal. They travel with us to every away game, so we are never alone in any arena,” emphasizes club spokesman Marek Táborský. The former fan, now head of media, fondly remembers his own trip to Davos: “For me, someone who once stood in Sparta’s fan section, it was a dream to experience the Spengler Cup live. Since then, I recommend the tournament to anyone who loves hockey.”

Looking Ahead
At the 97th Spengler Cup, Sparta wants to bring energy not just on the ice but also in the stands. Right from the start, they will face Fribourg-Gottéron, a team with similar qualities. The Torriani Group is rounded out by IFK Helsinki, the Finnish representative.

Text: Spengler Cup-Onlineredaktion Bild: Keystone