The wait is finally over: from Friday 21 August to Sunday 23 August, the 20th edition of the Dolomitencup will take place in Neumarkt, South Tyrol. Three days of ice hockey spectacle await.
It was back in the summer of 2006 that an ice hockey tournament was launched in South Tyrol, one that was to become an international fixture in the years that followed: we are talking about the Dolomitencup. For 20 years now, top-class ice hockey clubs from all over Europe have been making the pilgrimage to Neumarkt for the pre-season tournament – and with them come hundreds of fans who turn the Würtharena into a cauldron of excitement.
From Friday to Sunday, it’s that time of year again. The Eisbären Berlin (DEL/Germany), the Augsburger Panther (DEL/Germany), Kometa Brno (Extraliga/Czech Republic) and EV Zug (National League/Switzerland) will be battling it out for the coveted Dolomitencup trophy.
It all kicks off on Friday at 8 pm with the first semi-final between Augsburg and Kometa – a clash that promises to be a real treat. Augsburg is not only the record participant in Neumarkt (the Panthers are taking part for the eleventh time), but also the record champion (five wins). The team, with its passionate and incredibly loud supporters, has long since achieved cult status in Neumarkt. Kometa Brno, the 14-time Czech champions who are still chasing their first Dolomitencup triumph, will also be bringing their own noisy supporters with them.
Big anniversary party on Saturday evening
The second semi-final between Eisbären Berlin and EV Zug takes place on Saturday at 3.30 pm. This is a clash between two absolute heavyweights. The Eisbären are the reigning German champions and the DEL’s record champions. Meanwhile, EV Zug are among the hottest teams in Switzerland in recent years, having won the league title in both 2021 and 2022, and boast one of Europe’s most famous ice hockey goalkeepers, star goalkeeper Leonardo Genoni, in their ranks. As always, Sunday is reserved for the final matches. The third-place play-off kicks off at 3.45 pm, followed by the big showdown for the title at 8 pm. This year’s Dolomitencup also has a special treat in store: on Saturday evening from 7.30 pm, the big anniversary party will take place in the centre of Neumarkt, with all four participating teams in attendance. So another spectacular ice hockey festival awaits this year. For Friday’s match, there are only a few tickets left at the box office; for all other matches, tickets are still available online.
