The Cardiff Fire are delighted to confirm the return of the Welsh Cup to be contested against the Deeside Dragons in a single-game final on Saturday 5th December at Deeside Ice Rink.
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:
Itโs fantastic to announce the return of the Welsh Cup for a third consecutive year. The Welsh Cup has fast become a highlight on the calendar for both clubs and a showcase for ice hockey in Wales.
Weโve forged a brilliant relationship with Deeside in recent years, driven by a shared vision to push Welsh ice hockey forward. Deeside are a seasoned NIHL1 North outfit, and just like us, they play with real Welsh spirit and their supporters carry the exact same heart and enthusiasm that our Fire Family bring every game.
I want to thank Shaun and everyone at Deeside for working alongside us to get this yearโs cup final locked in, ensuring we keep this tradition alive during our busy league schedules this season. The single-game final will give the fans an instant high-stakes fixture to kick off the festive period, and I hope as many of our supporters as possible make the trip up north.
Deeside have held the trophy for the last two seasons, but everything resets the second the game starts. Weโre really looking forward to travelling up to North Wales and giving it everything weโve got for a great night 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