England Ice Hockey and the Women’s National Ice Hockey League have announced details for this season’s WNIHL Finals, bringing another exciting season of women’s hockey to a thrilling conclusion.
Bauer Arena at iceSheffield will be the venue for 13 games across three days from Friday 31 May to Sunday 2 June. Play-off titles for the Elite League, Division 1 and Division 2 will be decided, as well as the U16s National Championship. As last year, the final game of the weekend will be the Elite League promotion play-off.
While teams are still battling out in the final stages of their league season, the schedule has been confirmed and it follows that used last season – all senior semi-finals on day one, finals on day two alongside U16s semi-finals, with the U16s final and the Elite League play-off on the final morning.
Tickets will go on sale on Monday 22 April and prices have been held at last year’s level – just £5 for the whole weekend and under 12s are FREE! Details of webcast coverage is expected to be confirmed very soon for those unable to attend in person.
The WNIHL will also be selling souvenir pucks, programmes and event t-shirts across the weekend as fans will have the chance to show their support for WNIHL and women’s hockey.
Faye Andrews, general manager of the WNIHL for England Ice Hockey, said: “This format was put in place last year and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. We had great numbers in the arena, watching online and following on socials, and we hope to improve that this year, particularly with the tickets being held at the same price as last time.
“Women’s hockey continues to grow and thrive, and the UK is part of that with our GB women playing in Division 1 again and pushing for medals. Of course the bigger picture of the PWHL in North America has been amazing, and I’m sure we will see the trickle down here in terms of player numbers and new players.
“The WNIHL Finals will give the best players in all of our competitions the platform to play on a big stage with medals and trophies at stake, and as was the case last year, I am sure that all players and teams will put on a great show and everyone watching will be royally entertained.”
The WNIHL will also continue with its All Star awards at the event – a tradition started last year – and will have on-ice officials from the UK as well as IIHF-qualified officials from other associations as part of a collaboration with the Ice Hockey UK Referee Association.
“We are looking to grow and improve the event each year,” Andrews added.
“It’s the pinnacle of the women’s hockey season. We want it to be the best it can be – in terms of facilities, game times, officials, attendance, media – the whole package. I’m excited for this year and can’t wait to see folk coming through the doors on the first morning.”
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