6 games guaranteed
Every team plays six games across two halls. Nobody travels across Europe for two games.
About
Format and schedule
National Games Tournament is an international AAA-level event for U8 to U12. Every category gets its own weekend and its own full production.
Categories & dates
Every age group gets its weekend
The tournament runs from late April into May 2027 at ROCKNET Arena in Chomutov. Categories never overlap — the whole arena belongs to one age group at a time.
| Category | Born | Level | Dates | Entry fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U8born 2019 | 2019 | AAA | 16–17 April 2027 | CZK 21,000€850 · per team |
| U9born 2018 | 2018 | AAA | 18–19 April 2027 | CZK 21,000€850 · per team |
| U10born 2017 | 2017 | AAA | 23–24 April 2027 | CZK 25,000€1,050 · per team |
| U11born 2016 | 2016 | AAA | 25–26 April 2027 | CZK 25,000€1,050 · per team |
| U12born 2015 | 2015 | AAA | 30 April – 1 May 2027 | CZK 25,000€1,050 · per team |
Format
Game format
The system is built so every team plays enough hockey and no weekend ends after two losses.
Two groups, Swiss system
Every team gets three randomly drawn opponents in its group. The final system is sent once the number of teams is confirmed.
Finals and medal games
Day two decides every placing and the medals. From the semi-finals a tie goes to 3-on-3 overtime, then a shoot-out.
Awards for every team
An MVP from every team, the tournament's best forward, defender and goalie, skills competition awards, trophies, medals and a prize for the biggest fan club.
Format
Three days, three highlights
From the training day through the opening ceremony and skills competition to the final and the awards.
- Day 0
Training day
The day before the tournament teams can book a practice hour on the tournament ice (from 15:30) and get a feel for the arena before the first puck drops.
- Day 0 · 20:00
Roster registration & coaches' meeting
Roster verification, welcome packs and the coaching staff meeting with the organisers. Accreditation is issued to rostered players and the coaching staff.
- Day 1
Opening ceremony
All teams on the ice, flags, anthem and full arena production. The biggest show of the tournament and the moment teams come back for.
- Day 1
Group games
Every team plays six games across two halls, with results updated live on the web and arena screens.
- Day 1
Skills competition
During day one, between games: selected players from every team take on shooting, skating and stickhandling in front of a packed arena. Winners receive individual awards.
- Day 1–2
Free testing room
A testing room is open throughout the tournament — shot analysis and other player testing, free for participants.
- Day 2
Finals and medal games
Placement games, semi-finals with 3-on-3 overtime and a final played in a full arena with the complete show production.
- Day 2
Closing ceremony
Medals, trophies, an MVP from every team, the best forward, defender and goalie of the tournament, skills competition awards and the biggest fan club prize.
2027 regulations
Official regulations
Game system, penalties, points and conditions for the 2027 edition. Based on the official U12 regulations — other categories may differ in details; the PDF for each category is binding.
Deadlines and payments
10 Jan 2027Registration deadline
Registrations are accepted until the category is full, and no later than this date.
31 Jan 2027Entry fee due
A deposit invoice is sent after registration, the tax document after payment.
28 Feb 2027Free cancellation until
Registration can be cancelled until this date. After that the entry fee is non-refundable.
Game system
The basics
- Two groups in a Swiss system — every team gets three randomly drawn opponents in its group.
- Every team plays 6 games.
- Games are played in two halls (Hall A and Hall B), always on full ice.
- 5-on-5 — five skaters and a goalie.
- Playing time 2 × 15 minutes, stop time.
- Each 15-minute half counts as a separate game. In play-off and placement games both halves count together.
- A tie is decided by a shoot-out — three shooters per team.
- Every team gets a few minutes of warm-up before the game.
- No time-outs, with the exception of medal games.
- Minimum roster is 13 skaters + 1 goalie.
- The final tournament system is sent once the number of teams is confirmed.
Semi-finals and medal games
- From the semi-finals a tie goes first to a five-minute 3-on-3 overtime, then a shoot-out.
- In medal games a coach may use a coach's challenge — a video review of a goal situation. A dedicated video system is new this year.
- An unsuccessful challenge costs the team a two-minute delay-of-game penalty.
- A time-out is allowed in medal games.
- A serious foul is reviewed on video. An additional penalty and a suspension for further games may follow.
Organisation and officials
- Penalties and basic regulations follow the Czech Ice Hockey rules for the 2026/27 season.
- U12: body checking is allowed.
- Referees registered with the Czech Ice Hockey Association.
- Black puck, standard full-size goals.
- Medical supervision is present at every game.
Penalties
1:30minor penalty
4:00major penalty
8:00game misconduct
Penalties follow the Czech Ice Hockey rules. The referee always has the final say.
Points
3points for a win
2points for a shoot-out win
1point for a shoot-out loss
Group standings
Ties are broken by these criteria, in this order.
- Points
- Head-to-head result
- Goal difference
- More goals scored
- Fewer goals conceded
- Draw of lots
Protests and reviews
- A protest against a dangerous foul and a request for review must be lodged in the organisers' room before the start of the next game at the latest.
- The organisers decide together with the referees and inform the teams in person.
- If confirmed, an additional penalty and a one- to two-game suspension follow.
- Referees' decisions cannot be protested.
Prizes and awards
Every team goes home with something in hand.
Trophies and medals for the best teams
MVP of every team
Best forward, defender and goalie of the tournament
Individual awards from the skills competition
Prize for the biggest fan club
Souvenirs for everyone — a bag for every team
Rules and rosters
Games follow the Czech Ice Hockey Association rules for the 2026/27 season. The minimum roster is 13 + 1. The full regulations are available for download above.