3ICE World Cup
The SSE Arena, Belfast will host the inaugural 3ICE World Cup on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 July 2026, bringing the most innovative global ice hockey to Northern Ireland for its debut year.
What is 3ICE?
Founded by E.J. Johnston, son of former NHL goaltender and coach Ed Johnston, 3ICE is a professional ice hockey league built around the skill-driven three-on-three format of the game.
With two eight-minute periods of continuous play, the format emphasises speed, creativity, and attacking hockey, making it an immediate hit with fans and broadcasters worldwide. Since launching in 2022, 3ICE has partnered with major networks, including CBS, ESPN, TSN, FanDuel Sports Network, and the NHL Network, while attracting legendary NHL coaches such as Ray Bourque, Larry Murphy, Ken Daneyko, and more. Three-on-three hockey is also widely expected to join the Winter Olympics from 2030, further cementing the format's rising global profile.
The 3ICE World Cup
The 3ICE World Cup marks the league’s most ambitious expansion to date. This two-day, eight-team international tournament will see national teams compete for global bragging rights at the home of the Belfast Giants.
The confirmed nations competing are 3ICE Great Britain, 3ICE USA, 3ICE Canada, 3ICE Sweden, 3ICE Finland, 3ICE Switzerland, 3ICE Germany, and 3ICE Austria. 3ICE Great Britain will be led by Belfast Giants head coach Adam Keefe and will feature selected players from across the Elite Ice Hockey League, offering local fans a unique opportunity to see top domestic talent unite on home ice against world-class opposition.
The tournament will be broadcast internationally through 3ICE’s global media partners, placing Belfast on screens across Europe, North America, and beyond. Alongside the games themselves, the weekend will feature fan engagement activity and community programming, delivering a major celebration of ice hockey for both local supporters and visiting fans.
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