(KNSI) – St. Cloud will once again host competitive pond hockey this winter as the Downtown Alliance brings back the beloved tradition with a new tournament.
The first annual Bold and Bright Pond Hockey Tournament will take place January 30th through February 1st, at Lake George in downtown St. Cloud. The Downtown Alliance has committed to the tournament’s future, purchasing boards last year and planning for a large-scale event that will become a fixture of St. Cloud’s winter calendar.
Rachel Thompson, with the Downtown Alliance Events Committee, told KNSI News for those unfamiliar with pond hockey, the game differs from traditional hockey in several key ways. “It has some interesting elements like no goalies. It also has a different goal net and net is a very robust word for what it is. Really, the tried-and-true pond hockey style is a grassroots type of gameplay that is self-regulated.”
A head referee and master of ceremonies will oversee play to help ensure the rules are applied. The competition will feature 16 teams playing four-on-four in a double-elimination format. Each team can have up to six players, but only four on the ice at a time.
The tournament will feature more than just hockey. Organizers plan to include a beer garden, live music, and DJ entertainment, creating a festival atmosphere.
Thompson explained hosting the event in the heart of the city is meant to “Make a connection between Lake George and downtown and invite folks from outside the area to come and experience this gem that we have right in the middle of our downtown, which is Lake George.”
The cost to play is $300 per team, with winners taking home a trophy and bragging rights. Teams must register and pay by January 19th, 2026, or until the tournament reaches capacity.
The registration fee helps cover costs, including park rental, board maintenance, referee fees, marketing, trophies, warming shelters, tents, and insurance.
The revival of pond hockey at the iconic urban lake marks the first time the ice has hosted the event since 2017, when the Granite City Pond Hockey Championship took place, only to fizzle out after leadership changes.
To register your team or for more information on the event, click here.
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