Core Viewpoint - The 2025-2026 season of the Chinese Women's Ice Hockey Professional League will commence on September 7, 2025, in Hulunbuir, Inner Mongolia, with a reduction in teams from 7 to 5, leading to a more balanced competition and increased suspense in matches [1][2] Group 1: League Structure and Schedule - The new season will feature a total of 30 regular season games and 8 playoff games, continuing until March 7, 2026 [1] - Regular season matches will take place in three locations: Hulunbuir (September 7-12), Qiqihar (November 29-December 4), and Tangshan (December 20-25), using a single round-robin format [1] - The top four teams from the regular season will advance to the finals held at Harbin Sports University, which will utilize a best-of-three format for championship and third-place matches [1] Group 2: Team Composition and Player Development - The league will consist of 5 teams with a total of 162 athletes, representing regions including Beijing, Hebei, Sichuan, and clubs from Shenzhen and Qiqihar [1] - The introduction of foreign players is continued, allowing teams to sign up to 5 foreign athletes (excluding goalkeepers), with 8 Canadian and Russian players currently signed by Qiqihar and Shenzhen Kunlun Hongxing [2] - The league's maturation is fostering the development of young players, with notable improvements seen in athletes like Wu Sijia, Zhang Biyang, Wang Jiaxin, and Zhao Ziyu [2] Group 3: Long-term Goals and Challenges - The Chinese Ice Hockey Association acknowledges the disappointment of not qualifying for the 2026 Milan Winter Olympics but emphasizes the importance of domestic league development for nurturing future talent [2] - The focus is on long-term objectives, particularly the 2030 Winter Olympics, highlighting the necessity of maintaining a robust domestic league to support the growth of younger teams [2]

Group 1 - The American Hockey Association delegation visited Heilongjiang to discuss the development of ice hockey in both China and the U.S. [1] - The delegation's visit lasted from June 17 to June 26, during which they engaged in discussions with local sports authorities and participated in training and friendly matches [2] - Heilongjiang is recognized as the birthplace of ice hockey in China, with a history spanning over 70 years [2] Group 2 - The delegation toured various training facilities at Heilongjiang Ice and Snow Sports Vocational College, including ice hockey training areas and an artificial intelligence lab [2] - There are plans for international cooperation between Heilongjiang Ice and Snow Sports Vocational College and the University of Wisconsin, focusing on teacher exchanges and joint curriculum development [2] - The visit is expected to enhance sports diplomacy and foster deeper exchanges between Heilongjiang and the U.S. in the field of ice hockey [2]

Core Viewpoint - The 2025 International Ice Hockey Federation Women's World Championship showcased the potential of ice hockey to drive the ice and snow economy in southern China, with Shenzhen serving as a vibrant example of this trend [1] Group 1: Event Overview - Denmark defeated China 1-0 in the final match, with Austria and Denmark promoted to the top tier, while Slovakia, France, and China maintained their positions, and the Netherlands was relegated to Group B [1] - The event highlighted the enthusiasm of local citizens for ice and snow sports, indicating a growing interest in this sector [1] Group 2: Infrastructure and Development - Shenzhen has transformed its climate disadvantage into an innovation advantage by leveraging ice hockey, with facilities designed to convert basketball courts into ice rinks [2] - The establishment of a dedicated training base for the Chinese national women's ice hockey team in Longgang District demonstrates a commitment to promoting ice hockey and developing youth training programs [2][3] Group 3: Economic Impact - The ice and snow economy in China is projected to reach 1.2 trillion yuan by 2027, driven by government policies and initiatives to support the industry [3] - High-level sports events are a key focus for Shenzhen's cultural and tourism development, with the city aiming to integrate sports with culture and tourism to enhance its international profile [4] Group 4: Market Growth - The hosting of the women's ice hockey championship has led to significant economic benefits, with over 1 billion yuan generated from sponsorships, broadcasting, and tourism related to the event [4] - The opening of the adjacent shopping center, Dawan Tiandi, attracted over 3 million visitors in its first month, reflecting a surge in consumer demand linked to the event [4]