Val Gardena vs. Merano: The AlpsHL season kicks off with the final duel from last season.

Last year's finalists open the new season

In exactly 50 days, on September 19th, the Alps Hockey League will kick off its eleventh season. The new season of the multinational league will open with a rematch of the final from the spring.

July 31, 2026

From: cst

HC Merano and defending champions Val Gardena will open the new season in the Alps Hockey League. This has been confirmed since Friday, as the schedule was published exactly 50 days before the league starts.

Thirteen teams will compete in the AlpsHL in the 2026/27 season, including seven from Italy. Five of these are from South Tyrol: Ritten, Gröden, Merano, Unterland, and Wipptal. Cortina and Asiago are also participating. The first matchday will see the two Balkan teams, Sisak (Croatia) and Jesenice (Slovenia), face off.

HCG, led by captain Simon Pitschieler, enters the season as defending champions. © Matthaeus Kostner_hcGHER_202604 / Matthaeus Kostner | www.kostner.

Ritten kicks off their season with an away game against Kitzbühel. The Wipptal Broncos also have to travel for their first match – to Cortina d'Ampezzo. Unterland, on the other hand, has a home game in store. RB Salzburg's reserve team will be visiting Neumarkt for their opening match.

AlpsHL: The first two match days

1rd matchday
Kitzbühel – Ritten
Zell am See – Asiago
Merano – Val Gardena
Sisak – Jesenice
Lower Inn Valley – Salzburg II
Cortina – Wipptal
Asiago – Klagenfurt II

2rd matchday
Kitzbühel – Unterland
Klagenfurt II – Salzburg II
Jesenice – Asiago
Ritten – Merano
Cortina – Zell am See
Wipptal – Gröden