UK's ice hockey fans to descend upon Nottingham for action-packed playoff weekend

More than 6,500 ice hockey fans are expected to descend upon Nottingham this weekend for the highly anticipated season finale playoffs.

Four teams will battle it out for the Elite League title with several matches taking place throughout Saturday and Sunday.

The Motorpoint Arena is pulling out all the stops for the puck-tacular weekend, with food, booze and a special after-party taking place at Saltbox.

Matches will begin at 3pm on Saturday, April 20 with Sheffield Steelers v Guildford Flames.

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Live entertainment will take place all weekend around the main arena. Dedicated fan zones with themed bars for each team have been created around the Arena Bowl to make sure all the visiting fans feel at home for the annual showpiece. 

Mark Brooks, Elite Ice Hockey League, said: “The Elite League Playoff Finals are always an outstanding occasion at the Motorpoint Arena. Fans right across our league will make the annual trip and enjoy a weekend in Nottingham like no other.

“The Motorpoint Arena has played host to all Elite League Playoff Finals and created memorable moments for many since 2004. We look forward to everything the weekend has to offer at this great venue and the unrivalled atmosphere as we crown our 2024 Playoff champions.”

Former Panthers player turned award-winning butcher Johnny Puszati will be cooking up an epic breakfast as well as his famous hog roast.

Project D has created a Playoffs donut while the Arena chefs are bringing out the ‘Homer’ burger along with other specials for the weekend. 

Local independent brewery Neon Raptor - based just a stone’s throw from the Arena - has been invited in to run a bar takeover creating a special Sin Bin session beer for the occasion. 

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Josh Mellor, Neon Raptor co-owner, said: “Sin Bin is Neon Raptor’s brand new Session IPA launching exclusively at Nottingham Motorpoint Arena. We’ve combined Citra and Simcoe for a slapshot of flavour, that play off each other to the sudden death.”

Martin Ingham, CEO, Motorpoint Arena Nottingham, said: “We’re proud to once again be warmly welcoming so many hockey fans from all around the country for this annual climax to the Elite Ice Hockey League season.

“With our long-term deal to host the Play-Offs until 2029, we are working hard to continually improve the fan experience year after year to make sure everyone has a fantastic weekend and takes home some great memories from what happens both on and off the ice.”

It's in Nottingham, the city's Business Improvement District, also partnered with Motorpoint Arena and the National Ice Centre to run a Stay-n-Play competition, with the prizes including play-off finals tickets, a meal out in Nottingham city centre and an overnight stay.

Alex Flint, CEO, It’s in Nottingham, said: "We're proud to be part of this weekend's exciting play-off finals in the heart of Nottingham, and to know it will bring thousands of people to Nottingham, from all over the country.

“Nottingham is a city of sporting greatness, on and off the ice, as well as culture, great shopping, and places to eat, so we hope many of our visitors will take time to explore the city centre as well as enjoy the ice hockey. We know that whatever visitors choose to do, a warm Nottingham welcome awaits everyone travelling to our city this weekend."

*The Playoffs weekend will be televised on Premier Sports across UK & Ireland as well as a pay-per-view streaming option online, with fans watching on screens able to join the Official After Party at Saltbox.