AIHL provides update on changes to 2025 season

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As per our statement on the 12^th December, the AIHL has been working with the Team Governors since 7^th December to produce a solution to the disruption of the 2025 AIHL season, due to the scheduled renovation of Macquarie Ice Rink.

The AIHL was initially advised that these works were scheduled for an 8-week period in April and May 2025. However, the AIHL was then informed on Tuesday 17^th December that these works would require an extensive time period and that Macquarie Ice Rink would be unavailable for the entirety of the 2025 season.

The Board of Directors and Team Governors worked diligently in a very short timeframe with a number of stakeholders, to formulate a solution for both the Ice Dogs and Bears to play in the 2025 season. A number of factors were considered and investigated, including:

• The availability of alternate rinks and infrastructure within NSW and their logistical capacity to accommodate the two teams plus training times
• Playing home games in other rinks such as Liverpool, Erina, Canberra and Newcastle
• Construction of a temporary rink in conjunction with IHNSW to accommodate both the AIHL and local hockey in NSW
• The broader impact on ice sports across NSW including the ECSL, juniors and developmental programs
• The short and long-term financial impact on both the clubs and the league, with particular consideration to travelling teams and associated costs with a revised schedule and venues

However, despite extensive consultation the Board and the Team Governors were unable to devise a sustainable alternative. As a result, the Sydney Ice Dogs and the Sydney Bears have made the difficult decision to withdraw from the 2025 AIHL season.

The AIHL would like to thank both the Ice Dogs and Bears’ leadership and off-ice staff, who worked very hard to try and ensure both teams could play in 2025. We look forward to both clubs rejoining the AIHL for 2026 and beyond.

2025 AIHL season format

As the Bears and Ice Dogs have now withdrawn, the 2025 schedule is currently being revised. As a result, the following preliminary changes to the season are advised:

• The AIHL will revert to a single ladder of 8 teams for the 2025 season
• Each team will play 28 games (14 home, 14 away)
• All 112 games plus finals will be streamed live on AIHL.TV
• The 2025 finals format is currently being revised and an announcement will be made shortly

The Board and the Team Governors will reconvene again this weekend to discuss several matters, confirm the 2025 AIHL schedule and rules regarding the Player Point Systems for affected players and teams across the league.

The revised 2025 schedule will be made available to the public early next week, so please keep an eye out on our website and social channels for further announcements.

We again thank our teams, players, sponsors and fans for their patience through this challenging period for hockey in Australia.

However, in light of the short term set back, we are confident that the upgrades at Macquarie are a net positive for the AIHL and the sport in the long term.

We look forward to bringing you our 25^th anniversary season in 2025.