IIHF Releases First Game Schedules for the IIHF European Cup of Nations
 
The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) has officially released the first game schedules for the European Cup of Nations, marking a major milestone in the rollout of this groundbreaking new competition framework.

Designed to turn international breaks into a platform for meaningful and competitive national team games, the European Cup of Nations is one of the cornerstone initiatives under the IIHF’s ICE26 strategic plan.

The inaugural season will take place during the traditional November, December, and February international breaks, featuring 18 national teams competing in three- or four-team groups across Europe.
 
Participating countries:

Group A
Germany, Slovakia, Latvia, Austria
 
Group B
France, Denmark, Norway, Hungary
 
Group C
Poland, Italy, Great Britain, Slovenia
 
Group D
Lithuania, Ukraine, Romania
 
Group E
Estonia, Netherlands, Spain
 
 
IIHF Leadership Comments
 
Luc Tardif, IIHF President:
“With the release of the first schedules, the European Cup of Nations moves from vision to reality. Fans, players, and federations can now see how this competition will bring structure and purpose to international breaks - creating more opportunities for national teams to compete at the highest level.”

Zsuzsanna Kolbenheyer, President of the Hungarian Ice Hockey Federation:
“This tournament gives our teams a clear pathway for growth and consistent competition. Knowing who and when we play allows us to plan better, prepare better, and showcase our players on a bigger stage. It’s a real boost for European hockey development.

Morten Green, General Manager, Danish National Team:
“Now that the schedules are live, the excitement becomes tangible. Our players and staff are eager to test themselves regularly against strong opponents - that’s how standards rise and rivalries form. This is exactly what European hockey has been missing.”

Marta Zawadzka, Vice President, Polish Ice Hockey Federation:
“Seeing the first games on the calendar makes it clear: the European Cup of Nations is more than an idea - it’s a growing tradition. It brings meaning to every international break and connects fans with their national teams throughout the year.”
 
Building the Future of European Hockey
By establishing regular, structured competition among Europe’s leading and emerging hockey nations, the IIHF aims to strengthen the entire international hockey ecosystem - providing more opportunities for athletes to represent their countries, enhancing fan engagement, and helping federations grow both competitively and commercially.
 
Full game schedules are listed below (all times are local):

2026 IIHF European Cup of Nations – Group A (Germany)
06 November 2025 
12:15 Austria vs Slovakia (Landshut)
19:45 Germany vs Latvia (Landshut)

08 November 2025 
11:00 Slovakia vs Latvia (Landshut)
18:45 Germany vs Austria (Landshut)

09 November 2025 
11:00 Latvia vs Austria (Landshut)
14:45 Germany vs Slovakia (Landshut)
 
2026 IIHF European Cup of Nations – Group B (France)
06 November 2025 
16:00 Hungary vs Norway (Epinal)
20:45 France vs Denmark (Epinal)

07 November 2025 
16:00 Denmark vs Hungary (Epinal)
20:45 Norway vs France (Epinal)

08 November 2025 
15:00 Denmark vs Norway (Epinal)
19:30 France vs Hungary (Epinal)
 
2026 IIHF European Cup of Nations – Group C (Poland)
06 November 2025 
16:15 Slovenia vs Great Britain (Sosnowiec)
19:45 Poland vs Italy (Sosnowiec)

07 November 2025 
17:00 Great Britain vs Italy (Sosnowiec)
20:45 Poland vs Slovenia (Sosnowiec)

08 November 2025 
16:15 Italy vs Slovenia (Sosnowiec)
19:45 Poland vs Great Britain (Sosnowiec)
 
2026 IIHF European Cup of Nations – Group D (Lithuania)
06 November 2025 
18:30 Ukraine vs Lithuania (Elektrenai)
 
07 November 2025 
18:30 Romania vs Ukraine (Elektrenai)
 
08 November 2025 
18:30 Lithuania vs Romania (Elektrenai)
 
2026 IIHF European Cup of Nations – Group E (Estonia)
06 November 2025 
18:00 Estonia vs Spain (Tallin)
 
07 November 2025 
18:00 Spain vs Netherlands (Tallin)
 
08 November 2025 
18:00 Netherlands vs Estonia (Tallin)

All games will be broadcast live on IIHF TV, bringing fans worldwide closer to top-level international hockey action beyond the annual World Championships.