Ultimate Hockey AG and the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) have extended their partnership until the end of  2027. The agreement was signed on the sidelines of the IIHF Semi-Annual Congress 2026 in Tenerife, Spain. Following the inaugural Ultimate Hockey – Breaking the Ice Tour event in Innsbruck, Austria, the renewed agreement provides the foundation for the next phase of their collaboration: bringing 3x3 Ice Hockey to new audiences and creating more opportunities to experience the sport worldwide.

Announced in December 2025, the partnership combines the IIHF’s commitment to developing 3x3 Ice Hockey with Ultimate Hockey’s urban sport and entertainment concept. The first Ultimate Hockey - Breaking the Ice Tour event in Innsbruck brought this vision to life, taking the format from its launch announcement to the ice.

With the one-year extension, Ultimate Hockey AG and the IIHF will build on this first milestone and continue working towards their shared ambition of making ice hockey more accessible, connecting with new communities and establishing 3x3 as a complementary discipline with its own identity.

Markus Valier, Founder of Ultimate Hockey AG, says: “Innsbruck was an important first step: we brought the 3x3 Ultimate Hockey - Breaking the Ice Tour to life and showed what Ultimate Hockey can look like in an urban setting. Extending our partnership with the IIHF gives us continuity to build on that foundation. Together, we want to take 3x3 Ice Hockey to more places, inspire new players and fans, and create opportunities for national federations, cities and partners to become part of its development.”

Ultimate Hockey combines fast-paced 3-on-3 Ice Hockey on a smaller playing surface with music, entertainment and opportunities for fans to engage with the sport. Designed to complement traditional ice hockey, the format brings the game closer to urban communities and offers an accessible entry point for audiences discovering hockey for the first time.

Kim Pedersen, Chief Hockey Officer, IIHF says: “3-on-3 Ice Hockey is a key part of our commitment to developing ice hockey worldwide.  3x3 Ultimate Hockey offers exciting opportunities to introduce ice hockey to new players and audiences. Our collaboration with Ultimate Hockey helps us explore that potential through an event that bring the sport closer to fans and . We look forward to building on the first tour event in Innsbruck and continuing our work together for year 2027.”

The 3x3 Ultimate Hockey - Breaking the Ice Tour remains a central platform for this shared ambition: bringing Ice Hockey into urban spaces and creating experiences that appeal to established fans, families and newcomers alike.

Further details on upcoming tour stops and activities under the extended partnership will be announced in due course.