Before the start of the season: DEL extends contract with managing director Tripcke

The German Ice Hockey League has prematurely extended the contract with managing director Gernot Tripcke.

The 56-year-old, who is entering his 25th year as DEL boss, signed a contract until 2028. “This is excellent news for German ice hockey,” said DEL supervisory board chairman Jürgen Arnold. He is one of the most experienced German sports managers at the top level. Tripcke came to the DEL in 1997 as league manager. After a record number of spectators and a record number of sales despite fewer teams, the league has finally overcome the difficult Corona years economically.

After the attendance record announced last season in the spring, the DEL also reported a sales record this morning. This was increased to 173.6 million euros in the past season. The league had already achieved a record in the previous season – albeit with one more club at the time. In 2023/2024, each of the 14 clubs achieved an average turnover of 12.4 million euros (2022/2023: 10.6).

With an average of 7,160 spectators per main round game, the DEL was the number one European league last season. This figure is set to increase further in the season that begins on September 19th.

League hopes for further momentum through new arena in Munich

The new home of EHC Red Bull Munich will be inaugurated one week after the start of the season against the NHL team Buffalo Sabres. “I assume that Munich will be able to double the average number of spectators. I think they can reach an average of between 9,000 and 10,000,” said Tripcke.

On January 4th, there will also be another outdoor game between the Löwen Frankfurt and the Adler Mannheim in the Frankfurt football stadium.