Páňa Cup Returns. Ninth Edition to Feature Czech Champions, Slovak Opposition and Swiss Club

The traditional Páňa Cup returns to Kladno on August 22–23. The ninth edition of the international preseason tournament will feature the host club HBC Kladno, reigning Czech champions HBC Hostivař, two Slovak teams and Switzerland's SHC La Chaux-de-Fonds.

Páňa Cup Has Become a Strong and Popular Tradition

Following an exceptionally successful 2025 edition, which brought together ten teams from five countries, the Páňa Cup returns to its traditional format. Five quality teams from the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Switzerland will compete at the Municipal Ball Hockey Arena in Kladno during the weekend of August 22–23, 2026. For the host club HBC Kladno, the tournament will serve as an important test ahead of the new Czech Extraliga season.

As every year, the tournament is not only part of Kladno's preseason preparations but also a tribute to former teammate and friend Martin Panenka, after whom the event is named. Head coaches Jiří Mašík and Michal Dědič will have the opportunity to evaluate their newly assembled squad against both domestic and international competition.

Joining the tournament will be reigning Czech Extraliga champions and defending Páňa Cup winners HBC Hostivař. Slovakia will be represented by regular participant HBK H+H Skalica and the ambitious JETS Nitra. Completing the international lineup is Swiss club SHC La Chaux-de-Fonds, making its third appearance at the tournament.

"This year we are organizing the Páňa Cup for the ninth time. After last year's successful edition, when we worked together with ISBHF to host a ten-team tournament, we are returning to a more compact format with five teams while maintaining the international character that we consider one of the tournament's greatest strengths. Last year's event was exceptional in terms of both the number of participating teams and represented countries, and it's important to say openly that an event of that scale cannot realistically be organized every year. Looking ahead, we haven't given up on building on the success of the 2025 edition and perhaps taking the tournament even further. However, that isn't possible this year, partly because several World Championships were held across different categories. Even so, we believe this year's tournament will provide excellent preseason competition for the participating teams and an enjoyable spectacle for the fans," said HBC Kladno Vice Chairman Milan Maršner, who also thanked the City of Kladno and all tournament partners for their continued support.

The five participating teams will play a round-robin tournament throughout Saturday and Sunday morning, with every team facing each opponent once. All games will consist of three 10-minute periods. Sunday's medal games will determine the final standings, with the top two teams after the preliminary round advancing to the championship game, while the third- and fourth-placed teams will compete for the bronze medal.

Páňa Cup 2026 Schedule

Saturday, August 22

9:30 – JETS Nitra vs. HBC Hostivař

10:40 – HBC Kladno vs. SHC La Chaux-de-Fonds

11:50 – HBC Hostivař vs. HBK H+H Skalica

1:00 PM – HBC Kladno vs. JETS Nitra

5:00 PM – HBK H+H Skalica vs. JETS Nitra

6:10 PM – SHC La Chaux-de-Fonds vs. HBC Hostivař

7:20 PM – HBC Kladno vs. HBK H+H Skalica

Sunday, August 23

9:30 – JETS Nitra vs. SHC La Chaux-de-Fonds

10:40 – HBC Kladno vs. HBC Hostivař

11:50 – HBK H+H Skalica vs. SHC La Chaux-de-Fonds

1:45 PM – Bronze Medal Game

3:00 PM – Championship Game