The international floorball community is gearing up for an exciting 2026/2027 season, as preparations for the next term of the Champions Cup get underway. The upcoming tournament will proceed with a lineup of top elite clubs from Finland, Czechia, Switzerland, and Sweden, with all qualifying teams having registered. While a major structural facelift for the competition is being prepared from 2027 onwards, to further increase the value of the whole tournament, this upcoming season promises top-tier international action. A key part of the future plan is to once again connect the Champions Cup with other European club competitions, creating a unified and highly motivating European club competition pyramid for all countries.
Addressing financial challenges & record support
The IFF acknowledges that there have been deep discussions recently regarding the financial setup and the economic challenges faced by some clubs participating in international events. To ensure the financial stability of the competition, under current economic conditions, all five Champions Cup stakeholders - the IFF and the national federations of Finland, Czechia, Switzerland, and Sweden - have agreed on a unified approach, and confirm that up to 180,000 CHF has been allocated for travel support and prize money to assist the participating clubs.
With this substantial support for away games, many clubs will be able to cover their travel costs for these matches. This allows teams to fully capitalise on their home matches, keeping all local revenues from ticketing and sponsorships. These international games can generate significantly more interest than regular domestic league matches, making this financial balance critical for the long-term success of the clubs.
A sustainable playing system
A fundamental priority for the Champions Cup is maintaining the traditional home-and-away system. This format is vital because it guarantees every qualifying club the opportunity to host international matches, play in front of their own fans, build their local brand, and secure essential revenue. However, to lower the costs associated with away travel and ensure financial sustainability, the upcoming season will introduce an adjusted playing format.
For the first time at this level of international club competition, matches will be played using 3x15 minute periods. Additionally, teams will operate with a reduced match roster of 14 players and 5 team officials, selected from a broader registered list of up to 25 players and 10 officials. This streamlined format - which has already been successfully implemented at The World Games - directly reduces the financial burden of away travel and aligns the tournament with the systems planned for other European club competitions. Implementing this format now also serves as a crucial stepping stone, as these regulations are planned for permanent inclusion in the newly revamped competition structure from 2027.
Exciting quarterfinal matchups
Northern Conference
Women - EräViikingit (FIN) v Thorengruppen IBK (SWE) - FBC Kalmarsund (SWE) v TPS (FIN)
Men - IBF Falun (SWE) v Nokian KrP (FIN) - SPV (FIN) v Storvreta IBK (SWE)
Southern Conference
Women - Tatran Střešovice (CZE) v Wizards Bern Burgdorf (SUI) - Zug United (SUI) v Bulldogs Brno (CZE)
Men - Floorball Thurgau (SUI) v Florbal MB (CZE) - Tatran Střešovice (CZE) v HCR Winterthur (SUI)
Dates
- Quarterfinals: North 22-30 August / South 22 September - 1 October
- Semi-finals: 27 October - 5 November
- Finals: 23-24 January 2027
What is the IFF Champions Cup?
The IFF Floorball Champions Cup (CC) is a tournament for the elite European clubs organised by the International Floorball Federation (IFF). The tournament has been played in several different formats including a tournament series, a Final Four event, and its current Home & Away series.
The CC is organised and funded by the IFF in co-operation with the National Associations of Czechia, Finland, Sweden and Switzerland. Two teams in each gender participate from each of these countries, being the national league champion and the cup champion, or runners-up. The teams are divided into a Northern (Finland and Sweden) and a Southern (Czechia and Switzerland) Conference, and it is played with home and away games, and single matches.
The quarterfinals are played in pairs in home and away games: Finnish champion vs Swedish runner-up/cup winner, Swedish champion vs Finnish runner-up/cup winner, Czech champion vs Swiss runner-up/cup winner, Swiss champion vs Czech runner-up/cup winner. The winners of the quarterfinals qualify for the semi-finals, which are played in balloted pairs in home and away games. The final is played as a single match.