The Europe vs. NHL showdown

The Victoria Cup is an annual game played between one or more European teams - determined by the Champions Hockey League (for the 2008-2009 season by the 2008 European Champions Cup respectively) - and one or more NHL challengers.

The first Victoria Cup, which also will be one of the highlights of the IIHF's 100 Year Anniversary celebrations, will be played in Berne, Switzerland. The winner of the 2008 European Champions Cup, Metallurg Magnitogorsk (Russia), and the New York Rangers will face each other on October 1, 2008.

Information regarding tickets for the Victoria Cup game as well as for the exhibition game SC Bern vs. the New York Rangers on September 30, 2008, will be available in spring of 2008.

"The Victoria Cup will be a joined venture between the IIHF and the NHL and it will be the first annual world club competition for a trophy endorsed by both the IIHF and the NHL. This competition will also carry a substantial financial reward," said René Fasel, the president of the IIHF.

The IIHF has chosen Ovation AG in Zug, Switzerland as the agency to develop the commercial aspects of the Champions Hockey League. René Fasel said of the partnership: "We are very fortunate to have an agency with the integrity and experience of Ovation to lead the marketing and commercial development. The agency is led by Craig Thompson, one of the founding fathers of the UEFA Champions League, who has all the experience necessary to deliver the Champions Hockey League."