Canberra's AIS Arena has been overlooked as the host for the 2026 Australian Ice Hockey League (AIHL) finals, despite delivering an unprecedented season of sellout crowds for the Canberra Brave. The league announced on Monday that the finals series would return to the Icehouse in Melbourne, sparking disappointment in the national capital.
Melbourne Secures Finals Despite Canberra's Bid
The AIHL revealed its decision to award the 2026 finals series hosting rights to Melbourne's Icehouse, with the event scheduled to run from August 28 to August 30. This extends the venue's hold on the prestigious event, following a three-year deal that concluded after the 2025 season.
The league stated the choice followed a "highly competitive bidding process," with the board undergoing several rounds of voting. The final decision reportedly came down to a choice between the Icehouse and Canberra's AIS Arena.
In a statement, the AIHL board described the choice as "challenging," but pointed to the Icehouse's "proven track record in hosting top-tier ice events, combined with strong local partnerships and an excellent playing surface" as the decisive factors.
Canberra's Record-Breaking Season Ignored
The snub is particularly baffling given the AIS Arena's phenomenal success in the 2025 AIHL season. The venue achieved a historic milestone by selling out every single Canberra Brave home game, setting a new benchmark for attendance and atmosphere in the league.
Canberra Brave owner Stephen Campbell expressed his confusion and disappointment at the decision. He highlighted that the AIS Arena remains the only venue in Australia offering full bowl seating for 3,000 spectators—double the capacity of any other comparable ice hockey venue in the country.
"Canberra continues to set the benchmark within the league, having demonstrated in 2025 that delivering an authentic NHL experience in Australia is entirely achievable," Campbell said in a statement.
A 'Missed Chance' for the League and Capital
Campbell argued that hosting the finals in Canberra was a "logical and well-supported choice" following the team's sold-out season and its receipt of the ACT Government Award for Event Excellence. Had Canberra won the bid, it would have marked the first time in AIHL history the finals were held in the national capital.
"Regrettably, the chance to further elevate and showcase the game on a national scale has been missed," Campbell stated, framing the decision as a significant lost opportunity for the growth of ice hockey in Australia.
The AIHL confirmed the finals format will remain unchanged from 2025, with the top six teams competing for the Goodall Cup on the Sunday afternoon of the series.
