TOURNAMENT AND RULES

Game format:

4-on-4, without goalkeepers.

20-minute games with a running clock.

Draws are allowed during the group stage.

In the playoffs, tied games are decided by a 5-minute sudden-death overtime period. If still tied, the winner is determined by a penalty shootout.

Every team is guaranteed at least four group-stage games.

The playoff bracket will be published closer to the tournament.

Important to know:

In the unlikely event that there is no ice in Åre in January, the tournament will be played as boot hockey (hockey played on foot without skates).

The minimum age to participate is 18 years. Players are not insured by the tournament organizer.

 Official rules:

Equipment: Skates, jerseys, stick, and helmet are mandatory.

Fouls: Body checking, fighting or violent conduct, slap shots, and lifting the puck above knee height are prohibited.

Minor infractions result in a change of possession.

More serious fouls result in a penalty shot for the offended team.

Penalty shots are taken from center ice toward an empty net.

If the penalty shot is missed, play continues immediately from the rebound or wherever the puck ends up.

Game Rules:Defending players are not allowed inside the goal crease.

No offside rule.

Goals may be scored from anywhere on the rink.

Line changes are made "on the fly."

If the puck leaves the playing area, play is restarted from the point where it went out. The restart is taken by the team that did not cause the puck to leave the rink. Opposing players must remain at least 2 meters (6.5 feet) away from the player taking the restart.

ACCOMMODATION

The official accommodation partner of Pond Hockey Åre is Holiday Club Åre. The hotel is located in the heart of the village, with the tournament games played right on the lake in front of the hotel.

After registering for the tournament, you will receive a discount code by email, which can be used to book accommodation at a special tournament rate for the event dates.

Holiday Club Åre also serves as the tournament hub. Here you will find the tournament information desk, and the hotel's restaurants will offer special deals for players throughout the weekend.

ARRIVAL

Getting to Åre is easy and convenient. You can fly via Stockholm to Östersund, which is located approximately 60 km from Åre. Åre is also easily accessible by train from Stockholm without any transfers, with both daytime and overnight services available.

Another convenient option is to take the ferry from Vaasa to Umeå and continue to Åre, with the journey taking approximately five hours in winter.

The Pipolätkä Åre team has found all of these travel options to be reliable and convenient.

If you have any questions or need further information, please do not hesitate to contact the Pipolätkä Åre team by email at info@fsoe.fi or

by phone at +358 50 406 1000.

ÅRE

From Wednesday, 13 January, until the conclusion of the tournament, Pond Hockey Åre will host a variety of food, drinks, and social events both in the village of Åre and at the tournament venue by the ice.

Our goal is to make it easy for everyone to enjoy their stay in Åre, even if it is their first visit. In addition to the games, we want to create a welcoming atmosphere and provide plenty of opportunities to meet other players and enjoy the tournament weekend together.

More information about the after-game events and social programme will be announced closer to the tournament.