Sky Swiss League Set for an exciting season opener

This year marks the start of a new era for the league, which has now officially been renamed the Sky Swiss League. This comes as part of a broader partnership with Sky, the TV and streaming provider, which has secured the league’s naming rights and broadcast deals until at least the 2026/2027 season. As part of this extended agreement, all games will continue to be available through Sky’s subscription package, "Sky Sport," and on swissleague.tv, the league's exclusive streaming platform.

Vital Pathway for Developing Talent

The Sky Swiss League holds a special place in the Swiss hockey landscape, offering young players a critical opportunity to hone their skills before advancing to the National League. The league has a proven track record, with 83% of Swiss National League players aged 20-30 having gained valuable experience in the Sky Swiss League. Many of these players, averaging 84 games in the league, have made successful transitions to the top tier of Swiss hockey.

Recognizing the importance of this developmental pathway, the Swiss Ice Hockey Federation has established a taskforce dedicated to further enhancing the league’s position and stability. This taskforce, in collaboration with the National League and Sky Swiss League clubs, aims to improve the league’s structure and provide young athletes with professional environments to support their growth.

Once the new strategy for the league’s development is in place, plans include appointing a dedicated Sky Swiss League manager to oversee the league’s continued progress.

Familiar Format for the Season

Fans of the Sky Swiss League can expect the same competitive format as last season. The regular season will consist of 45 rounds, with each team playing against every other team five times. The regular season will conclude on January 31, 2025, and the top eight teams will advance to the playoffs, which will follow a Best-of-7 series format beginning on February 11, 2025.

For the league champion, a potential promotion opportunity awaits, provided they meet the necessary criteria. The top team will have a chance to challenge the loser of the National League Playout series in a bid to move up to the top tier of Swiss hockey.

Meanwhile, the teams finishing in ninth and tenth place will see their seasons come to an end after the regular rounds. In addition to the league competition, teams from the Sky Swiss League will also participate in the National Cup, which kicks off on September 30, 2024, with the round of 32.

Opening Matchup: EHC Visp vs. GCK Lions

The excitement begins tomorrow evening, with the season opener featuring EHC Visp against the GCK Lions. Then, just two days later, the rest of the teams will hit the ice for the first full round of competition, marking the official return of the Sky Swiss League.

With new visibility through Sky and a continued focus on developing young talent, this season promises to deliver thrilling games, intense rivalries, and perhaps even the emergence of future National League stars.

Tweets by @eurohockey