The Cardiff Fire are delighted to confirm the return of the Welsh Cup to be contested against the Deeside Dragons for the third year in a row this December.
Now in its third consecutive year since the competition's revival, the Welsh Cup has quickly become one of the standout fixtures in the Welsh ice hockey calendar. More than just a trophy, it is a celebration of Welsh ice hockey and an opportunity to showcase the passion, talent and continued growth of the sport across the country.
The Fire will be looking to burn the Dragons this time round, after the side from North Wales took the spoils in each of the previous two fiercely contested finals. Last season saw Deeside secure an 8-4 aggregate victory over two legs, following the unforgettable inaugural Welsh Cup in 2024, which the Dragons edged 16-14 on aggregate.
This year's competition sees a change in format, with the trophy to be decided over a single game. With both clubs facing increasingly busy domestic schedules, the decision was taken jointly to stage a one-legged final, ensuring the Welsh Cup continues to thrive alongside league commitments.
Cardiff Fire General Manager and Director of Hockey Stevie Lyle said:
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Deeside Dragons General Manager Shaun Bebbington said:
The Welsh Cup has become a really important fixture for both clubs and for Welsh ice hockey as a whole. There's a huge amount of respect between ourselves and Cardiff Fire. While we're fierce competitors on the ice, we share the same ambition of growing the game in Wales and providing our supporters with occasions they can be proud of.
I'd like to thank everyone at Cardiff Fire for working with us to make this year's competition possible. With such a packed domestic calendar, moving to a one-game final was the right decision for both clubs, and it's great that Cardiff are making the trip to Deeside to ensure the Welsh Cup remains part of the season.
We've been fortunate enough to win the competition over the last two years, but those results count for nothing once the puck drops. Cardiff are a well coached, hard working team and we're expecting another competitive game. Hopefully we can put on a fantastic spectacle for both sets of supporters and continue to showcase the very best of Welsh ice hockey.
The Welsh Cup Final will also mark the beginning of the festive hockey schedule and promises to be another memorable occasion between two clubs that continue to drive the development of the game in Wales.
Face-off is at 5:15pm on Saturday 5th December at Deeside Ice Rink.
Ticket details and further match information will be announced in the coming weeks. The Fire and Dragons encourage supporters from across South and North Wales to come together and enjoy what promises to be another fantastic celebration of Welsh ice hockey.
Photos by James Assinder