What Is 2025-26 Women's Euro Hockey Tour

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2025–26 Women's Euro Hockey Tour is a new international ice hockey competition launching in September 2025, featuring national teams from six European countries playing a series of tournaments across four events to determine a champion. It replaces the former Euro Hockey Tour format previously dominated by men's teams and marks the first unified elite women's circuit in Europe.

Key Facts

The 2025–26 Women's Euro Hockey Tour begins in September 2025 with inaugural games in Sweden and Finland.
Six nations are confirmed participants: Sweden, Finland, Switzerland, Germany, Czechia, and France.
The tour consists of four tournament legs: September 2025, December 2025, January 2026, and April 2026.
Games follow IIHF rules with 3-on-3 overtime and shootouts if needed to determine winners.
The overall winner is determined by cumulative points across all four events, not a final match.

Overview

The 2025–26 Women's Euro Hockey Tour marks a landmark shift in European women's ice hockey, introducing a structured, multi-nation competition modeled after the long-standing men's Euro Hockey Tour. For the first time, top-tier European national teams will compete in a unified calendar of events designed to increase visibility, competitive intensity, and development opportunities ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics.

This inaugural season aims to bridge the gap between club play and international duty, offering players consistent high-level matchups. Organized jointly by the IIHF and European national federations, the tour is expected to boost fan engagement and attract new sponsorship as women's hockey gains momentum across the continent.

Launch Date: The first games begin in September 2025, with Sweden hosting the opening leg in Linköping.
Participating Nations:Six countries are confirmed: Sweden, Finland, Switzerland, Germany, Czechia, and France, each sending their top national squad.
Tournament Format: The tour includes four separate events held between September 2025 and April 2026, culminating in a points-based champion.
Game Rules: Matches follow standard IIHF regulations, including 60-minute games and 3-on-3 overtime if tied after regulation.
Scoring System: Teams earn 3 points for a win in regulation, 2 for overtime wins, 1 for shootout losses, and 0 for regulation losses.

How It Works

The structure of the Women's Euro Hockey Tour blends continuity with flexibility, allowing national teams to rotate rosters while maintaining a consistent competitive framework. Each tournament leg lasts approximately one week, with round-robin play determining final standings and contributing to the overall tour leaderboard.

Event Schedule: Tournaments occur in September 2025, December 2025, January 2026, and April 2026, aligning with IIHF international windows.
Host Rotation:Sweden, Finland, and Germany will each host one leg, while the final event is held in neutral Switzerland.
Roster Limits: Teams may dress 22 players per game, including three goaltenders, with flexibility to adjust between events.
Standings Calculation: The overall champion is determined by total points accumulated across all four legs, not head-to-head results.
Player Eligibility: Only athletes holding active national team status with their federation may participate, ensuring top-tier competition.
Officiating: Games are managed by IIHF-certified referees from multiple countries to ensure impartiality and consistency.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a side-by-side comparison of the Women's Euro Hockey Tour and the previous primary international competition, the IIHF Women's World Championship, highlighting structural differences.

Feature	Women's Euro Hockey Tour	IIHF Women's World Championship
Frequency	Annual (starting 2025)	Biennial (odd years)
Number of Teams	6 core nations	10+ teams (divided by division)
Season Format	Multi-leg tour (4 events)	Single tournament (2 weeks)
Champion Determination	Cumulative points	Knockout playoffs
Primary Objective	Year-round development and ranking	World title and Olympic qualification

This comparison underscores the Women's Euro Hockey Tour’s role as a developmental and competitive platform rather than a standalone championship. By offering more games and consistent matchups, it fills a critical gap in the international calendar, especially in non-Olympic years when opportunities for elite play are limited.

Why It Matters

The launch of the 2025–26 Women's Euro Hockey Tour represents a pivotal moment for gender equity and growth in international ice hockey. It provides a sustainable competitive structure that benefits players, federations, and fans alike, setting a precedent for future expansions across other regions.

Increased Exposure: Regular televised games across multiple European broadcasters will elevate the sport’s public profile.
Player Development: More high-level games allow younger athletes to gain experience against seasoned international opponents.
Olympic Preparation: The 2025–26 cycle directly supports team readiness for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics.
Commercial Growth: The tour has already secured title sponsorship from a major sportswear brand, signaling market confidence.
Grassroots Impact: Visibility inspires youth participation, especially in nations like France and Germany investing in women's programs.
Global Influence: Success could prompt similar tours in North America or Asia, expanding the sport’s international footprint.

With strong institutional backing and a clear roadmap, the Women's Euro Hockey Tour is poised to become a cornerstone of the global women's hockey calendar, fostering long-term growth and competitiveness.