Bischofshofen to host outdoor ice hockey before 8,500 fans
Tuesday 15th September 2026 on 19:15 in
Austria
ORF reported that Bischofshofen will host the ICE Mountain Classic, an outdoor ice hockey event at the landing area of the Paul Außerleitner ski jump, with up to 8,500 fans expected for the headline games at the end of January.
Villach’s VSV will play the Black Wings Linz on January 30, followed by Red Bull Salzburg against the KAC on January 31. The programme also includes an Alps Hockey League game between the Adler Kitzbühel and the Zeller Eisbären on Saturday afternoon, as well as top teams from the Austrian Women’s Hockey League on Sunday afternoon.
The event will take place only about three weeks after ski jumpers compete at the venue during the Four Hills Tournament. Red Bull Salzburg captain Thomas Raffl said the changing outdoor conditions would make the games special, noting that rain or snow could affect the event.
A complete mobile ice stadium will be built in the ski jump landing area, including boards, nets, ice-making machines and additional seating and standing stands. The arena will have about 4,500 standing places and 4,000 seats.
According to Manfred Schützenhofer, president of the Bischofshofen Ski Club, the arena will be able to accommodate between 8,000 and 8,500 people each day. The event organisers said the games could go ahead even in rain or snowfall.
The ski club is organising the Mountain Classic together with the win2day ICE Hockey League and is responsible for the technical arrangements. Depending on the weather, the ice surface is expected to remain in place for four to six weeks after the event and then be made available free of charge to schools and figure skaters.
Ticket sales will begin online on September 21 at noon. League managing director Christian Feichtinger said prices would be in the lower range, while organisers are hoping for a sold-out arena.
The ICE Hockey League season itself will begin indoors, with Salzburg hosting the KAC at the Volksgarten on Friday. At the season-opening press conference, organisers also said the Mountain Classic should raise the sport’s visibility and attract additional attention from sponsors. The future of Villach’s VSV, which is facing financial difficulties, was another major topic at the event.