Due to the sudden withdrawal of Steel Wings Linz AG from the 2024/25 season, the Alps Hockey League had to change the calendar and tournament format at short notice. To ensure that all thirteen teams play enough games, the league organization decided to reintroduce the Masters Tournament and the playoff round.
Initially, all teams will play 36 regular season matches before the top five teams compete in the main round for the best starting position in the playoffs. The remaining eight teams will play in two groups of qualifying rounds to reach the preliminary rounds, where the last three tickets to the quarterfinals will be up for grabs. The first and second rounds will be played in both the Masters and the playoff round.
The season starts with the South Tyrol derby.
The season starts on Saturday, September 21. The first round includes the South Tyrolean derby between HC Meran/o Pircher and Alpine champions Rittner Buam SkyAlps. Last year’s finalists, SG Cortina Havro, start the season a day later with a home match against Red Bull Hockey Juniors. For Croatian student Sisak, a freshman in the KHL, the adventure in the Alpine Hockey League begins on Thursday, September 26 with a trip to SIJ Acroni Jesenice. The Croats are participating in the Continental Cup at the start of the season.
Due to the possibility of some teams participating in the Confederations Cup, the match calendar may be subject to changes.
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