Talks underway

The status of an outdoor derby in Klagenfurt

The last time an ice hockey match took place at the Wörthersee Stadium was in 2015.(Bild: martin steinthaler)

The year 2025 is packed with top sporting events in Carinthia: Ski Jumping World Cup, Big Air World Cup, Ironman and more. And KAC boss Oliver Pilloni now wants to finally bring the third outdoor ice hockey derby to the Klagenfurt stadium. Talks are already underway. .

The "Big Air" spectacle in the Wörthersee Stadium (4/5 January), the Women's Ski Jumping World Cup in Villach (from 4 January) - 2025 is already off to a great start for sports fans. In summer, event guru Hannes Jagerhofer will bring beach volleyball and co. back to Lake Wörthersee as part of his multi-sport series, and the Ironman will of course take place. 

"Plans in the drawer"
And the next super spectacle could take place the following winter. Because talks for a revival of the outdoor ice hockey derby in Klagenfurt's European Championship Arena are currently underway again. Right in the middle of it, of course: the "big boss" of the KAC, Oliver Pilloni. "I have the plans in the drawer. And yes, I'm already planning it for next year - because it simply has to be done again," reveals Pilloni.

Financially? As we all know, both the city and the state have to make savings. However, both Hannes Jagerhofer's multi-sport series and the ice hockey spectacle would be self-financing. The latter purely through ticket sales and sponsors. And is probably also the future of events in Carinthia. "It's the only way we can still put on something here. Because there are no more cash grants. At most, there are benefits in kind and help with the organization," says regional sports director Arno Arthofer.

Two-year cycle for Big Air possible
If the "Big Air" is well received, it could take place here three times every two years - which in turn means that a spot for the open-air derby would be free during the Christmas vacations in 2025. "That's right. That's an ideal date. Maybe also in January 2026," says Pilloni.

We will be taking more concrete steps soon.

Arno ARTHOFER, Landessportdirektor

Provincial Sports Director Arthofer is on fire: "We are in a good exchange, it is the most sought-after event in Carinthia. We will soon be taking further, more concrete steps."

And Sportpark boss Daniel Greiner emphasizes: "It's desirable for everyone involved - we all want to have an outdoor derby again. But we have to take the soccer schedule into account." If it fits, there wouldn't be much standing in the way of the super event year 2025.