Swiss leg of Euro Hockey Tour returns to Fribourg

The Swiss Ice Hockey Federation has announced that the Swiss leg of the 2024-25 Euro Hockey Tour will be staged at BCF Arena in Fribourg from December 12 to 15. Fribourg previously hosted two years ago, while Zurich’s Swiss Life Arena hosted last season.

“For the third Swiss Ice Hockey Games, we have once again chosen Fribourg as the location,” said Marco Baumann, director of marketing and sponsorship for the Swiss Ice Hockey Federation. “This offers the host city Fribourg, the World Championship Organizing Committee and the Swiss national team the best opportunities to gain important experience as we prepare for the 2026 IIHF World Championship in Switzerland.”

The Euro Hockey Tour is a season-long competition between the top four national teams in Europe. It consists of four short round-robin tournaments, one hosted by each of the competitors at scheduled league breaks throughout the season. Usually, Finland hosts in November, Switzerland in December, Sweden in February and Czechia in late April or early May, shortly before the start of the IIHF World Championship.

The four teams use the competition to give European-based players a chance to audition for spots on their World Championship or Olympic rosters before the addition of NHL players. The Czech-based tournament often includes some NHL players whose teams missed the playoffs.

Switzerland joined the group of four teams in 2022 after Russia was expelled from international hockey competitions. 

Here is the tentative schedule. As usual, one of the opening games on Thursday night will be played elsewhere to maximize attendance. Times are Central European Time. 

Thursday, December 12, 2024
Sweden – Switzerland (19:45)
Czechia – Finland (probably in Prague, time TBA)

Saturday, December 14, 2024
Finland – Sweden (14:00)
Switzerland – Czechia (18:00)

Sunday, December 15, 2024
Czechia – Sweden (11:30)
Switzerland – Finland (15:30)