Leifers is back on the ice hockey map

After 15 years of waiting and hoping, it's official: Adult ice hockey is returning to Leifers. The Leifers Hockey Bears have registered for IHL Division 1, formerly Serie C. And they'll be playing in a brand-new arena.

July 10, 2026

From: fop

The SSV Leifers Hockey Bears are embarking on a new chapter: Starting in the 2026/27 season, the club's first team will compete in the Italian Hockey League (IHL) Division 1. Their home games will be played in the new, covered Brantenbach Sports Center.

Leifers, known as a breeding ground for talent, thus joins the South Tyrolean contingent in the second-highest, purely Italian league, which also includes Vinschger Eisfix and the reserve teams of Unterland Cavaliers and HC Gröden. The league now comprises a total of 13 teams.

The club map of IHL Division 1

With their registration for IHL Division 1, a top-tier ice hockey team returns to Leifers after 15 years. For the club, this is the provisional highlight of the Bears project, which began in 2014, and at the same time the start of a new era for ice hockey in the city.

"This is a moment of great joy and great pride." Section Head Massimiliano Cioffo

Section head Massimiliano Cioffo is thrilled: "This is a moment of great joy and pride – not only for the SSV Leifers Bears, but for the entire city community," he says. The covered ice rink will allow for continuous planning of training operations and create optimal conditions for the development of young players, Cioffo is quoted as saying in a press release.

The youth sector is also being expanded.

At the same time, the Hockey Bears are further expanding their youth development program. In addition to all existing youth teams, an U16 team is being established. Furthermore, the new infrastructure will also be used to further strengthen the hockey school for the youngest players.

This is what the project for the covered Brantental facility looks like; everything should be finished by the start of the season.

Vice-Section Head Daniele Ferrante also speaks of a historic step. He emphasizes that children will now be able to complete their entire sporting journey – from hockey school to the first team – within their own club. Mayor Giovanni Seppi points to the investments in the Brantenbach sports facilities: "60 years after the founding of the first ice hockey team in Leifers, our community will once again be represented by a first team."

Timpone as sporting director

On July 23, the SSV Leifers Hockey Bears will officially present the project together with the municipality. The roster, coaching staff, and other news regarding the 2026/27 season will also be presented. It appears that former Bolzano captain Christian Timpone will be taking over as sporting director.