Spengler Cup Davos - Epic Hockey Since 1923
The days between Christmas and New Year are all about reflection. A time to reconnect with what unites us as people. And honestly – what brings us together more than sports? Where people from different nations, languages and cultures meet, something magical happens true community. That’s exactly the spirit behind the Spengler Cup, founded back in 1923. More than just a hockey tournament, it was designed as a celebration of international friendship. A century later, that original idea still defines the soul of this legendary ice hockey festival in Davos.
What started in 1923 as a small tournament quickly snowballed into a major international event. The very first Spengler Cup took place from 28 December 1923 to 1 January 1924, with Oxford University taking home the win. Four teams hit the ice that year: HC Davos, Wiener EV, Berliner SC and Oxford University. The format was simple – a round-robin, everyone plays everyone. The tournament was a hit and laid the foundation for what would become a storied tradition.
The man behind it all?
Dr Carl Spengler, a Davos-based physician who had a vision. After World War I, he wanted to create a peaceful platform where former enemies could face off on the ice – not the battlefield – and start building bridges. As the founding charter puts it, the goal was to ‘offer an opportunity to measure strength in peaceful competition and shake hands in camaraderie’. Dr Spengler wasn’t just a dreamer – he was a die-hard hockey fan and a passionate supporter of HC Davos, founded in 1921 by his son Alexander.
Today, the tournament is helmed by HC Davos CEO and Spengler Cup director Marc Gianola, who knows the game inside out. He spent 17 years on the ice with the club and won the Cup four times. Now he’s been steering the event for over a decade: ‘You need a strong connection to the region. I guess I got lucky – and maybe a bit of that local pride helped too,’ Gianola says with a smile.
Six teams, eleven games, six days: The world’s oldest club tournament thrills fans year after year with speed, skill, and team spirit in the heart of the Grisons Alps.
The VIP building «LOFT 23» sets new standards in hospitality and offers the best view of the ice. The architecturally striking and sustainably built wooden structure offers an exceptional setting for guests and partners during the tournament.
More Than a Game – It’s a Connection
The real magic of the Spengler Cup isn’t just in the hockey. Gianola captures the vibe perfectly: ‘We’ve only got one standing curve in the stadium. So when Ambri plays Davos or Fribourg meets Davos in the final, fans are literally shoulder to shoulder. And it works. No violence, no chaos. In football? Unthinkable.’ The tournament truly lives up to Dr Spengler’s founding vision – sport as a unifier. The historic wooden stadium provides the perfect backdrop, fully renovated and modernised between 2018 and 2020. ‘Architect Daniele Marques created something really special. It’s more modern now, but the soul is still there,’ Gianola emphasises.
Beyond the thrilling action on the ice, the Spengler Cup is packed with events and experiences that turn a visit into something unforgettable. Exhibitions in the stadium take you through 100 years of hockey history. The fan tent with giant screens, live music, food stalls and an electric atmosphere is the perfect place to catch the games and soak up the vibes. It’s joyful, it’s loud, it’s local – and it’s legendary.
The Spengler Cup is the oldest club tournament in the world. And so every year, it is also a piece of living Swiss culture.
Three Things You Didn’t Know About the Spengler Cup
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Marc Gianola is a Spengler Cup veteran like no other: 17 years on the ice for HC Davos, four-time champ and now the brain behind the event.
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ans share a single standing curve – yes, even during heated finals. Davos and Ambri fans side by side, no flares, no riots, no bad blood. That’s the magic of the Cup.
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In 2025, the tournament is shaking things up: For the first time ever, a team of NCAA college all-stars from North America will take part – featuring tomorrow’s potential NHL stars. It’s a bold move and one sure to draw global attention.
Is This Your Scene?
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Families: A cosy, festive atmosphere between Christmas and New Year, with plenty of entertainment on and off the ice.
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Party people: Head to the fan tent! Giant screens, live music, food trucks, bars and a carnival vibe that lasts all tournament long.
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Mountain lovers: Between snow-covered peaks, alpine chalets and the wintery charm of Davos, the Cup becomes a full-on sensory celebration.
Spengler Cup At A Glance
When: Every year from 26–31 December
Where: Davos Ice Stadium – modernised,
but still full of historic wooden charm
What: 6 teams, 11 games, 6 action-packed days
What else: Party vibes, VIP lounges, cultural events and a festival feel
Atmosphere: Snow, mountains, holiday spirit – and serious hockey
Words Swenja Willms
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