The year 2024 has been a big one here in the Champions Hockey League and with holiday season in full swing, Christmas just days away and New Year's just around the corner, we wanted to take the opportunity to thank everyone for following us and, regardless of who you support, being part of Europe's biggest club ice hockey competition as we celebrated our big 10th season anniversary.
But before we go, here are a few moments that really stood out for us in 2024!
CHL Final 2024
We have to start with this year's CHL Final - the ultimate event of the European club ice hockey scene. The one-game showdown took place in Geneva, Switzerland and saw Genève-Servette take on Skellefteå AIK for the European Trophy. The rest is history, as the home team became the very first Swiss club to lift the trophy since the inaugural season of 2014/15.
Take a look back at all the best moments from one of the biggest and boldest events the CHL has ever put on!
New CHL Visual Identity
Ahead of 2024/25, the Champions Hockey League launched a striking new visual identity with the aim of moving the boundaries of European hockey further than anyone before. New colours, typography, graphic language and motion graphics were introduced as the CHL underwent its biggest change in a decade. The new look of the CHL has been so well received by fans, clubs and other partners that it's hard to imagine the competition today in its former look.
"The new identity captures the excitement, dynamics and intensity of CHL hockey."Philip Schuler, CHL Marketing & Events Director
10th Anniversary Season
We celebrated a big part of the big 10-season anniversary of the Champions Hockey League in 2024, with a recap of some of the competition's most iconic moments (part #1 and part #2), a special celebration logo visible on jerseys, graphics and in arenas across Europe, flashback videos and much more!
You, the Fans!
It's all about the fans, and 2024 has been another year in which we've seen amazing fan support across the continent. Veteran teams, returnees or newcomers - regardless of which category a team falls into, fans have flooded arenas and gone on crazy away game trips to support their favourite teams against Europe's best. Here are some of our favourite fan moments!
No CHL without Tappara
In line with the big anniversary, 2024 saw Finland's most successful club skate out for the 10th time on the pan-European club ice hockey stage, meaning Tappara Tampere are the only team to have played in each and every past CHL season.
The Finns have had a hard time in the competition since being crowned European Club Champions in 2023, exiting in the Regular Season the following season, but 2024 saw them just about squeeze into the Playoffs. Though not currently out of the race for the European Trophy and not in their usual dominant form, these sleeping giants will for sure be back and we can't wait to see them at it again!
Challenger League Teams Stronger than Ever
Teams from the Challenger Leagues really showed us all what they are capable of this year. It was impossible to miss the Sheffield Steelers in the Regular Season who shook up the first phase of the competition by beating established European clubs the Växjö Lakers, current Semi-Finalists Sparta Prague or last season's Finalists Skellefteå AIK to finish 10th in the 24-place Regular Season Standings. Though they were eliminated in the Round of 16, they left a lasting impression.
The same could be said about Polish side Unia Oświęcim, who were the sole newcomers of 2024/25. With two wins, two overtime losses and two regulation losses, the Poles only missed out on a place in the Playoffs on tie-breakers. What a debut!
Regardless of what you celebrate, enjoy the end of the year and be sure to return in 2025 for the CHL Semi-Finals in January and ultimate one-game Final in February!