The DEL WINTER GAME 2025 in pictures
The DEL WINTER GAME 2025 took place on the 4th January at the Deutsche Bank Park in Frankfurt. The Löwen Frankfurt triumphed over the Adler Mannheim in front of more than 45,000 spectators. stadiaworld presents pictures of the event.
After the DEL WINTER GAME was held in Cologne in 2023 and 2024, Düsseldorf and Frankfurt both bid to host the 2025 game. Frankfurt was awarded the event, beating out Düsseldorf.
In March 2024, the Penny DEL announced the assignment of the game and the associated location premiere. There was great anticipation for the annual highlight game, which was held for the sixth time. The derby atmosphere between the two rivals, Löwen Frankfurt and Adler Mannheim, added extra excitement.
Andreas Stracke, shareholder of Löwen Frankfurt, said ahead of the match: "We are returning to the Eintracht stadium nine years after the Summer Game in 2016 in the 2nd league – and this time for the 100th anniversary of the Waldstadion. This is really something special for a Frankfurt club. Since we were awarded the DEL WINTER GAME nine months ago, the excitement has been growing every day. Now it’s finally time for Saturday to begin. We are extremely excited and will try to bring the atmosphere from our ice rink to the Deutsche Bank Park – including, for example, the sea of sparklers."
The anticipation was also high on the Mannheim side. Matthias Bender, managing director of Adler Mannheim, stated: “Participating in a Winter Game is a very special experience for everyone involved. We are lucky to be here for the third time thanks to the invitation of our local rivals, but we also know how much work the host has to put in.”
Despite a competitive and closely contested match, there was a clear winner in the end. The Löwen from Frankfurt won the derby in front of 45,110 spectators. With the 5:1 victory, they moved within one point of the playoff spots. Starting at 4:00 PM, fans were entertained by Michael Schulte, who finished 4th for Germany in the 2018 Eurovision Song Contest in Lisbon, Frankfurt rapper Vega, "THE GRAND JAM," and much more, before the first puck was dropped at 6:00 PM.
Tom Rowe, head coach of Löwen Frankfurt, said: “This night in front of 45,000 spectators was incredible. I told my guys to enjoy the evening. The event couldn’t have been better. It was a great experience for the players and the entire organization.”
Gernot Tripcke, managing director of PENNY DEL, added: “The atmosphere today was amazing. It was a great event for the fans. The game was close for a long time, and in the end, the fans got to see a few goals. I can only congratulate the organizations in Frankfurt and Mannheim for this evening, which showed the significance of ice hockey in Germany. It's important for us to generate attention with such events and perhaps attract a few new fans to our sport.”
The next day, Deutsche Bank Park invited people to go ice skating. Visitors could skate on an ice rink inside the stadium and enjoy the atmosphere of the venue. (stadiaworld, 06.01.2025)
