For once it’s ice time in the Frankfurt Arena at the weekend. The Löwen Frankfurt welcome the Adler Mannheim to the Winter Game of the German Ice Hockey League.
The anticipation is palpable in the Frankfurt Waldstadion. Where the Eintracht Frankfurt footballers usually cause a stir, the DEL Winter Game will take place for the first time on Saturday (6 p.m.). This was announced in March 2024. “Now it’s time for the baby to actually be born on January 4th,” says Andreas Stracke, Lions partner, full of euphoria.
A game to enjoy
The professionals from both clubs can expect a goosebumps atmosphere in the open air. According to those responsible, more than 40,000 spectators will stream into the arena. Sure, after all the game is a derby, a real classic and is now being played in the big stadium. “For many it’s the first time, maybe the only time. Of course you have to enjoy all the emotions and all the moments,” said Mannheim’s national striker Matthias Plachta about the outdoor game.
For Plachta, who has already taken part in two Winter Games, the big unknown compared to a normal game under the hall roof is the weather. “You never know what kind of weather we’re going to have,” he said. “That makes the whole thing a bit exciting.” In the end, like every other game in the DEL main round, it’s about ice hockey and above all three points, as the 33-year-old emphasized.
Rooted in Mannheim, on the ice Frankfurter
The game is the sixth winter game in the history of the DEL. The premiere took place in Nuremberg in 2013, followed by Düsseldorf (2015), Sinsheim (2017) and twice in Cologne (2019 and 2022). So now it’s Frankfurt’s turn for the first time. The Main metropolis prevailed over Düsseldorf in the application process. “The anticipation is great,” said Lions defender Kevin Maginot.
For the 30-year-old, the encounter with the Eagles is always something special, regardless of the backdrop. The defensive player was born and grew up in the city of squares. He is still “firmly rooted” in Mannheim, explained Maginot. “I still live in Mannheim when it’s not in season. My grandpa played for Mannheim. Despite everything, in terms of ice hockey, I’m a Frankfurter, I’m a Frankfurter on Saturday and I’m a Frankfurter from August to April.”
The documentary about the game on hr television
The Winter Game makes the hearts of ice hockey fans beat faster. The hr-sport honors the spectacle with its own documentation. “Hot on Ice – When the Frankfurt Forest Stadium becomes an ice hockey arena” can be seen on Sunday, January 5th not only on hr television (9:45 p.m.), but also in the ARD media library and on YouTube.
Supporting program with Michael Schulte
While Maginot and Co.’s full focus is on the game, the spectators can look forward to more than just ice hockey. The DEL Winter Game always includes an extensive supporting program. In addition to an ice football game with legends from Eintracht Frankfurt, German singer-songwriter Michael Schulte will perform, among others.
