From 26 to 31 December 2026 Davos hosts the world's oldest international ice hockey tournament. What you should know about game times, tickets, hotels and clothing – and how the journey from Zurich Airport works smoothly between Christmas and New Year.
Between Christmas and New Year, Davos becomes the capital of ice hockey. The Spengler Cup, held since 1923, is the oldest international ice hockey tournament in the world and one of Switzerland's biggest sporting events. Around 100,000 visitors come to the Davos ice stadium and the fan zones in front of it every year.
This guide summarises when games are played, how to get tickets, where to stay and how the journey from Zurich Airport works in one of the busiest weeks of the year. All details are as of October 2026; the organiser publishes the line-up and exact schedule on the official website.
The 2026 Spengler Cup at a glance
The key facts about the 96th edition:
| Key facts | Spengler Cup Davos 2026 |
|---|---|
| Dates | 26 to 31 December 2026 |
| Venue | Davos ice stadium (zondacrypto-Arena), Davos Platz |
| Game times | 26–30 December one afternoon and one evening game each day, final on 31 December at 12 noon |
| Teams | Host HC Davos and invited teams from around the world |
| Tickets | Seats from CHF 98, standing CHF 35 (organiser's information) |
| Visitors | around 100,000 per tournament |
Why the Spengler Cup is special
Its appeal lies in the mix: a traditional wooden stadium in the middle of a mountain resort, teams with different playing styles from Europe and North America, and a date when many people are on holiday anyway. During these days Davos is full of fans who ski during the day and go to the stadium in the evening.
Even if you are not an ice hockey fan, Davos has a special atmosphere: fan zones, concerts and packed restaurants turn the days between the years into a festival.
Tickets: decide early
Tickets are available through the official Spengler Cup ticket sales. The final and the HC Davos games are in particular demand; if you want fixed seats, book early. Standing places are cheaper and offer the loudest atmosphere, but require warm clothing and patience at the entrance.
Allow a buffer around game times: around the start and end of games the roads and pavements in Davos Platz are crowded. If you want to be picked up right after an evening game, agree a meeting point with the driver a little outside the stadium area.
Accommodation: Davos, Klosters or the surroundings
Hotels in Davos are often booked out months in advance during Spengler week and are more expensive than usual. Good alternatives are Klosters, around 15 minutes away, and villages in the Prättigau valley. If you are flexible, combine the Spengler Cup with ski days in Davos-Klosters and travel on for New Year's Eve on 30 or 31 December.
Enter the exact hotel name when booking your transfer. Davos consists of Davos Dorf and Davos Platz, which are a few kilometres apart; the driver takes you right to the correct door.
Getting there from Zurich Airport
The drive from Zurich Airport to Davos follows the A3 along Lake Zurich and Lake Walen to Landquart and on through the Prättigau. On the fixed route we plan about 194 minutes; on a clear road it is less. All details on the route and price are on the page Transfer to Davos.
Between Christmas and New Year this route is busy, however: the start of the holidays, changeover Saturdays and New Year travellers all meet, especially on 26 December and on Saturdays. Snowfall in the Prättigau can slow things down further. The driver tracks your flight, knows the traffic situation and plans accordingly; for the return trip we recommend a buffer of 45 to 60 minutes.
We carry ski luggage free of charge, up to four ski bags per vehicle. For families and fan groups of up to seven the V-Class is the right choice; the fixed price is per vehicle.
What to bring
Davos lies at over 1,500 metres; at the end of December temperatures well below zero are normal. For standing places and the fan zones, pack warm shoes, a hat, gloves and several layers of clothing. Inside the stadium it is warmer, but not warm.
A small backpack instead of large bags and a power bank are also practical – the mobile network is heavily loaded on match days.
Combining the Spengler Cup and New Year's Eve
The final takes place at midday on 31 December. If you celebrate New Year's Eve in Davos afterwards, simply stay. If you want to spend the turn of the year in Zurich, plan the return trip right after the final; what happens in Zurich is described in New Year's Eve in Zurich. For January, the WEF transfer guide is worth a look if you return to Davos on business.
Davos between the games
Most games start in the afternoon or evening – the mornings belong to the mountains. The Parsenn, Jakobshorn and Madrisa ski areas are only minutes away, and at the end of December the snow in Davos is usually already good. Non-skiers will find toboggan runs, winter walking trails, cross-country tracks and the frozen Lake Davos.
In the evening after the last game the bars in Davos Platz fill up. For the ride back to a hotel in Klosters or the Prättigau, it is worth agreeing a fixed pickup time; the driver waits at a quieter spot outside the stadium area.
Frequently asked questions about the Spengler Cup
When is the 2026 Spengler Cup?
From 26 to 31 December 2026 at the Davos ice stadium. The final is played on 31 December at 12 noon.
How long is the drive from Zurich Airport to Davos?
We plan about 194 minutes. Between Christmas and New Year it can take longer because of holiday traffic.
Can the driver pick me up after an evening game?
Yes. Agree a meeting point a little outside the stadium area and an approximate time; the driver waits there.
Is there a surcharge on public holidays?
No, public holidays and weekends cost nothing extra. Only between midnight and 6 am does the 20 % night tariff apply.
Do you also drive to Klosters?
Yes, Klosters is on the way to Davos. Simply enter the hotel address.
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