'Missed chance': AIS Arena snubbed for major event despite unprecedented run of sellouts

Canberra Times 19 January 2026  -- By Melanie Dinjaski

The AIS Arena has evolved to become the premier venue for ice hockey in the country after an unprecedented run of sell-outs last season for Canberra Brave games. Despite this, the Australian Ice Hockey League revealed on Monday (19 January) it had made the decision not to award hosting rights for the 2026 finals to the Canberra venue.

Instead, the Icehouse in Melbourne was greenlit for another year, hosting the 2026 finals series from August 28 to August 30. It follows the venue's three-year finals deal which lapsed after last season.

"The AIHL is pleased to announce that the AIHL finals series will return to Melbourne this year," the league said in a statement. "The 2026 AIHL finals series will once again be played at the Icehouse in Melbourne.

"The finals format will remain unchanged from the 2025 season, with the top six teams battling it out for a chance to play for the Goodall Cup on Sunday afternoon."

The announcement followed a highly competitive bidding process for the 2026 instalment. It's understood there were several rounds of voting by the AIHL board before the finals choice, which came down to the Icehouse and the AIS Arena.

The board of directors said it was a "challenging" decision, but it ultimately was the Icehouse's "proven track record in hosting top-tier ice events, combined with strong local partnerships and an excellent playing surface" that won them the finals hosting rights.

Canberra Brave owner Stephen Campbell was baffled by the AIS Arena snub, given the AIHL attendance records set last season. If Canberra had won the hosting rights, it would have been the first time in history the AIHL finals were held in the capital.

"Canberra Brave expresses its disappointment with the AIHL's decision on where the finals will be played," he said in a statement to The Canberra Times.

"The AIS remains the only venue in Australia offering full bowl seating for 3,000 spectators, which is twice the capacity of any comparable venue nationwide.

"Canberra continues to set the benchmark within the league, having demonstrated in 2025 that delivering an authentic NHL experience in Australia is entirely achievable.

"Following a highly successful, sold-out season and receipt of the ACT Government Award for Event Excellence, hosting the finals in Canberra appeared to be a logical and well-supported choice for the league. Regrettably, the chance to further elevate and showcase the game on a national scale has been missed."

In March, the Australian Women's Ice Hockey League finals will also be held at the Icehouse, as well as an international series between Australia and New Zealand.

"Icehouse maintains our commitment to hosting the best ice hockey in Australia as well as growing the sport at all levels," Icehouse executive director Athol Hodgetts said.

The 2026 AIHL season begins on April 17. Canberra Brave begin their season in Perth against the Thunder on April 18, and their first home game at the AIS Arena is on May 16.

After the Brave relocated its home venue on May 31 last year from Phillip Ice Rink to the AIS Arena in Bruce, every game has been a sell-out. More than 32,000 tickets were sold for the 11 games at the venue, smashing previous AIHL attendance records.

The Brave have locked in the AIS Arena for at least the 2026 AIHL season, and talks are ongoing to extend the agreement to 2027 and beyond.