In the quiet rinks of the Swiss countryside, a paradox is unfolding that threatens to rewrite the hierarchy of European ice hockey. While the professional second tier, known as the Swiss League, grapples with a systemic identity crisis and mounting financial instability, the tier below it is thriving. This highest amateur circuit, often referred to as the “NHL of amateur hockey,” has become so successful and sustainable that it is effectively blocking the very reforms designed to save the professional game.
For years, observers and officials have lamented the fragility of the Swiss League. It sits in a precarious no-man’s land: too expensive to be truly amateur, yet lacking the commercial engine of the top-flight National League. However, the recent performance of the MyHockey League—the national amateur championship—suggests that the problem isn’t a lack of talent or passion, but a failure of the professional business model.
Having covered five Olympics and three World Cups, I have seen how the allure of professional status can often blind clubs to the reality of their balance sheets. In Switzerland, the amateur clubs are finally waking up to a different truth: the “promotion” they were once told to crave is now viewed as a financial trap.
The Federation’s Failed Merger
Urs Kessler, the president of the Swiss Ice Hockey Federation (SIHF), has been candid about the structural imbalance. Kessler has identified that the system currently supports one league too many. His proposed solution is a sweeping merger: folding the MyHockey League into the Swiss League to create a hybrid circuit of at least 20 teams.
Under this plan, the new hybrid league would house both development clubs and those with professional aspirations, while the 1st League would return to being the primary regional amateur tier. On paper, the logic is sound. It consolidates resources and creates a clearer pathway for talent. In practice, however, the plan has hit a wall of resistance from the amateur section of the federation.
The resistance stems from a simple realization: the amateur clubs are already winning. The recent MyHockey League finals between Hockey Huttwil and EHC Seewen showcased a level of play that rivaled the second division, but without the crushing overhead. Seewen, acting as a de facto national team for the canton of Schwyz, defended its title across five intense matches that drew thousands of spectators and a peaceful, family-oriented atmosphere that drew praise from the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF).
The Economics of “Going Down”
The financial disparity between the two levels is stark. Top amateur clubs like Seewen and Huttwil operate on budgets of less than one million francs, utilizing infrastructure that is perfectly suited for their needs. Their rosters are filled with players who were trained in the country’s highest junior leagues but chose stable professional careers outside of hockey over the volatility of the semi-pro circuit.
The danger of promotion is best illustrated by the case of Arosa. During the 2024/2025 season in the MyHockey League, Arosa drew 14,640 spectators across 21 home games. Upon moving up to the second division this season, that number rose only slightly to 15,812—but required 25 home games to achieve. The marginal increase in attendance does not approach close to covering the exponential increase in operating costs associated with professional status.
This economic reality has triggered a reverse migration. Rather than fighting for promotion, clubs are voluntarily choosing relegation to regain financial sanity. Langenthal made the move to the MyHockey League in the spring of 2023, and EHC Winterthur is set to follow suit at the end of the current season.
Toward an “Original Six” Model
As the market dictates a “re-amateurization” of the second tier, the Swiss League faces a possible contraction. Some analysts suggest the league may eventually mirror the NHL’s “Original Six” era—the period between 1942 and 1967 when only six teams existed because a larger league was not financially viable.
A leaner Swiss League, focused on traditional powerhouses such as La Chaux-de-Fonds, Sierre, Visp, Olten, Thurgau, and Basel, could potentially improve the quality of television production and attract better broadcasting deals with outlets like RTS or MySports. However, this transition would likely see the departure of clubs like the GCK Lions and the potential collapse of teams in Arosa, Bellinzona, and Chur, who may discover themselves without the free young talent typically provided by National League organizations.
The Future of the Amateur Circuit
While the professional tier shrinks, the “NHL of amateur hockey” is poised for expansion. With the addition of Winterthur, the MyHockey League could realistically split into two conferences to reduce travel and increase local rivalries:
- Eastern Conference: Dübendorf, Winterthur, Frauenfeld, Oberturgau, Bülach, and Wetzikon.
- Western Conference: Huttwil, Langenthal, Thun, Lyss, Franches-Montagnes, and Seewen.
Such a structure—featuring 32 matches per season with a heavy emphasis on regional derbies—would further solidify the amateur league’s appeal and sustainability, making the prospect of moving up to the Swiss League even less attractive.
The current tension in Swiss hockey is not a crisis of interest, but a crisis of identity. The Swiss League is trapped between a thriving top flight and a dynamic amateur base. Until the federation can align the cost of competition with actual revenue, the most successful clubs in the country may continue to be the ones that refuse to turn professional.
The next critical checkpoint for the league will be the conclusion of the current season and the official confirmation of EHC Winterthur’s transition, which will serve as a bellwether for other struggling second-division clubs.
Do you believe the professionalization of second-tier sports often destroys the community spirit of the game? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
