The 2026 Lidl Hockey Games in Sweden will serve as the final tune up in late October for Europe's top four nations - Sweden, Finland, Czechia, and Switzerland - ahead of the 2026 World Championships
Sweden's Lidl Hockey Games will be played in Södertälje from October 28-31 as the final tune up for European teams ahead of 2026 World Championships.
In the third instalment of the event, which has served as Sweden's stop on the Women's Euro Hockey Tour, the event has already become a key component of the international schedule for Sweden, Finland, Czechia, and Switzerland who will again compete.
"Lidl Hockey Games has in a short time established itself as a central part of our international operations for Tre Kronor women," said Tony Wiréhn of the Swedish Ice Hockey Association in a translated press release. "The fact that we are now returning to Södertälje, together with strong partners and a committed organizer, creates very good conditions for another hockey party."
"Being able to represent Sweden in front of our audience in Södertälje means a lot to us as a national team," said Swedish national team general manager Erika Holst. "We know the support we can get from the stands and how much it can lift our performance out on the ice."
Sweden will open their tournament against 2024 champion Czechia, while last year's winner, Finland, will take on Olympic bronze medalist Switzerland on October 28.
The tournament sits only a week before puck drop in Denmark at the 2026 World Championships where the world's 10 best teams will face-off beginning November 6. Due to the World Championships, many European leagues, including Sweden's SDHL, will take a pause in their schedule from the opening of the Lidl Hockey Games, through the conclusion of the World Championships on November 16.
The 2026 Lidl Hockey Games will continue on October 30 with Finland taking on Czechia and Sweden playing Switzerland, before concluding on October 31 with Switzerland playing Czechia and Sweden facing Finland.
