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Valloni / News  / ICE HOCKEY IN SWITZERLAND
21 February 2025

ICE HOCKEY IN SWITZERLAND

 

Association football is the most popular sport in the world, but not so in Switzerland where the beautiful game is eclipsed by ice hockey, as far as attendance and television coverage are concerned.

Globally, ice hockey has more than 1.6 million players in 79 countries participating in the sport annually.

In Switzerland, professional and amateur ice hockey, as well as the Swiss national team, are managed by the Swiss Ice Hockey Federation (SIHF).

The SIHF was established in 1908, is a founder member of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) and is headquartered in Glattbrugg.

The IIHF was also established in 1908 and is headquartered in Zurich.

The National League is the top tier of Ice Hockey in Switzerland, with 12 teams, and the Swiss League is the lower tier, with 10 teams.

The National League often holds the record for the highest average attendances outside North America, where the sport is also strong.

The top Women’s Ice Hockey League in Switzerland was founded in 1986 and, since 2019, has been known by its shortened name of the Women’s League.

It is interesting to note that the SIHF may no longer use the Swiss Coat of Arms on its players’ jerseys following a ruling, this year, by the Swiss Federal Administrative Court, pursuant to the provisions of the Swiss Coat of Arms Protection Act of 2017, although by agreement it may continue to do so until 2027.

Incidentally, the Swiss flag may be used, unless its use is misleading or contrary to public order, morality or applicable law.

Ice hockey has a history of violence, including fighting, which has a long-standing tradition in the practice of the sport in North America, but is governed by an unofficial set of rules.

However, the sport has become less violent over time, but, as a team sport, has one of the highest injury rates, including those of a traumatic nature, notwithstanding the fact that players wear well-developed protective gear.

In Switzerland, according to recent research, the most common serious injuries sustained in ice hockey include muscle strains, concussions and hip/groin injuries.

For further information and professional legal advice and assistance relating to ice hockey, please email Dr Lucien Valloni, particularly in respect of labour and union law cases, as the President of the World Association of Ice Hockey Players’ Unions, and Noemi Delli Colli, in respect of other legal cases, including claims for personal injuries, at ‘valloni@valloni.ch’ and ‘dellicolli@valloni.ch’ respectively.