FAQs

Team accreditation takes place in the Hockey tent in the Hockey Area. 

• Thursday, January 14, 2027: 2:00 pm-8:00 pm (pre-check-in)
• Friday, January 15, 2027: 8:00 am-10:00 am

Attention: By Friday, 10:00 am, at least one person per team must have been present at check-in. Otherwise, disqualification may result and a team from the waiting list will move up.

At check-in, all teams receive the player wristbands that grant access to all areas. (Ice, tent and playing areas).

For spectators without ice skates, access to the ice is free of charge.

There are 24 rinks and a center court. Eight rinks as well as the center court are illuminated by floodlights. 

The rink is 28 meters long and 16 meters wide.

It is played 3 against 3 without a goalie on mini-goals. These are 140 cm wide and 12 cm high. In the middle, the goals are closed over a width of 80 cm, with a 30 cm-wide opening left on the left and right.

For participation in the Pond Hockey tournament, the following equipment is mandatory:

• Ice hockey helmet (with visor or cage)
• Ice hockey gloves
• Elbow pads and shin guards
• Ice hockey skates

The Captains Meeting with tournament instructions will take place on Friday, 15 January 2027, at 10:45 am in the festival tent.

Attendance is mandatory for all team captains!

A team consists of at least 4 and at most 9 players.
The player list MUST be submitted to the tournament management by Friday, 10:00 am at the latest.
The same nine nominated players must play on all days.
Late nominations only after consultation with the tournament management.

After the preliminary round, the teams are assigned to three performance groups according to their ranking:

• Champions Group: first- and second-placed teams
• Buddy Group: third- and fourth-placed teams
• Chillout Group: fifth- and sixth-placed teams

In each performance group, the preliminary round is followed by an intermediate round consisting of two rounds. The 22 best-placed teams in each group receive a bye in the first round. After that, the 16 teams that advance to the play-offs are determined.

In the preliminary round, the teams are divided into groups by random draw. Each team plays five group matches with 12 minutes of gross playing time each.

Afterwards, the teams are assigned to the Champions Group, Buddy Group or Chillout Group according to their ranking.

The intermediate round consists of two rounds. The 22 best-placed teams of the Champions, Buddy and Chillout Group each receive a bye in the first round. The remaining 20 teams of each performance group play for the ten remaining places in the second intermediate round.

There, the 22 teams with a bye meet the ten winning teams of the first round. A total of 32 teams per performance group play for a place in the round of 16.

From the intermediate round onwards, the gross playing time is only 10 minutes. This also applies to all play-off games and the finals.

The 16 qualified teams of each performance group play for the group title in a knockout system: round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals and final.

The finals take place on Saturday, 16 January 2027:

• 6:00 pm - Final Chillout Group
• 6:30 pm - Final Buddy Group
• 7:00 pm - Final Champions Group

You can find further details on the tournament format and the rules of play under Tournament format & rules.

All game schedules, game times and current results can be found clearly on Tournify. You will receive the corresponding link and a QR code in good time before the start of the tournament.

This way, you will have all the important information in view throughout the entire tournament and always know when and where your team is next allowed onto the ice.

After each game, the playing surface must be cleared of snow and ice shavings so that the next teams also find optimal playing conditions.

As a rule, the losing team takes care of the cleaning. Snow shovels and spades are available directly at the playing fields.

The declaration of participation will be sent to the team captains by e-mail in good time before the tournament.

All players must sign the declaration in person and hand it in at check-in. By doing so, they confirm that they are in a health condition suitable for participation, have assessed their physical performance capacity on their own responsibility and are taking part in the tournament at their own risk.

We strongly recommend that all participants have appropriate insurance coverage.

You are missing players at short notice? Then please contact our organization team as early as possible. We will be happy to try to find a solution together.

Please note that each team must consist of at least four players and that additional nominations are only possible by arrangement with the organizing committee.

We ask all teams to leave their cars at their accommodation if possible. The Weißensee Nature Park relies on gentle mobility: guests staying at Weißensee can use public transport free of charge.

Parking is available at parking lot P7, only around 300 meters from the Hockey Area. Discounted parking tickets can already be reserved in advance.

You can find a detailed location and parking map under Location & arrival. 

Important for all players: Entry to the event tent in ice hockey skates is only permitted with skate guards. Alternatively, you can change your shoes before entering.

Spectators and accompanying persons are also very welcome in the event tent.

Yes. On Sunday, rinks are available for friendly games for eliminated teams. 

Over the past 40 years, ice hockey on Lake Weißensee has always been possible in January.
Should force majeure (snowfall, rain, etc.) allow only limited play, the tournament management will adapt the schedule and the scope of play to the conditions.

A marked area (in front of or behind the stage) is reserved for each team for a maximum of 10 people.
Neither the organizer nor the tent operator accepts liability for theft or loss.

To help you enjoy your stay at Pond Hockey Weissensee to the fullest, we recommend booking your accommodation as early as possible.

There are numerous accommodation options available at Weissensee and in the surrounding area. The Tourismusinformation Weissensee will be happy to help you find suitable accommodation.