In June 2012 the International Icehockey Federation (IIHF) organized a workshop with Clubs, Leagues, National Federations and agencies in Barcelona. Target of the Workshop: Development of a project for an Icehockey-Championsleague. Various ideas were collected. After the workshop a working group under the leadership of Szymon Szemberg set up a concept, based on structure and principales of ‘Turkish Airlines Euroleague Basket’.

Shareholders of the ECC are the IIHF (12%), 6 West European Leagues (25%) and 26 clubs (63%). The clubs have to fulfill criteria regarding sportive success, infrastructure, sustainability and shareholder structure. The starting capital of the EEC is 3.3 Mio Euros. 40 Clubs will participate in the new Championsleague. The 26 co-owners and 14 more clubs, qualifying via sportive criteria, will participate in the new competition. Start of the League will be in August 2014, the final will be played in February 2015.

The 26 fixed spots are awarded to: Sweden 6, Finland 6, Chekia 4, Germany 4, Switzerland 4, Austria 2.

Infront is the media and marketing partner of EEC. The agency will produce tv-pictures of all the 149 CL-matches per season.

Clubs of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) will not participate in the new Championsleague. GB