Name of the Tournament: Swiss Pond Hockey Championship

Location of the Tournament: Silvaplana, Lake Suot (Switzerland)

What time of the year? Jan 20-22, 2023

What ages are welcomed to play? 18+ 

What's the size of the tournament? 74 Teams

How long has it been running? Going strong since 2006

Any special entertainment? YES, music, contest, and plenty more.

What are accommodations like nearby (hotels, Airbnb, etc.)? Resorts, hotels, and vacation rentals.

What makes this one unique? What sets it apart?

The setting is tough to match. It's a magnificent place at 1800 meters in the Swiss Alps. The number of teams sets it apart in the region, and it's the primary tournament showing off the passion for hockey in Switzerland.

Third Assist's Take: The info above is from the founder himself, but the origin story here explains a lot. It turns out a Swiss contingent made their way to the 2005 World Pond Hockey Championships in Plaster Rock, New Brunswick and they had a blast. The enjoyed the experience so much they decided to try a tournament on their home turf and they picked an unrivaled setting: Silvaplana, Switzerland. While Silvaplana is a new name to many of us North Americans, the next town over, St. Mortiz, is well-known as the idyllic Alps ski town that has hosted two Winter Olympics. So if you're looking for an excuse to go across the Atlantic for hockey, it'll be tough to find a better pond hockey experience than nine rinks built with the Alps as your backdrop.

Just take one look at this website and you'll be sold. We're looking into international tickets as we speak..

Have you ever played in the tournament? Let us know your favorite aspects in the comments below.