The Syracuse Pond Hockey Classic is set return to Clinton Square Ice Rink in downtown Syracuse. The annual tournament is happening on January 24, 2025, from 10:00 am - 8: 00 pm. The Hockey Classic combines a Central New Yorkers love for the sport of hockey and deep pride for Syracuse winters since this event is outdoors during some of the coldest points of the winter. Families and friends of all ages look forward to bundling up, getting outside, and cheering on their favorite team of 3 to 6 players battling for the number 1 spot. 

Check out why the Syracuse Pond Hockey Classic should be on your winter bucket list this year!

Clinton Square

Back for the third year in its new location at the Clinton Square Ice Rink, the tournament will kick off promptly at 10:00 am. In previous years, the Classic was held on Hiawatha Lake in the Strathmore Neighborhood. While that is still a staple location, fans, players, and community members are excited to play and watch downtown this year.
 

Tournament Play

A 16-team round-robin tournament hosts several passionate pond hockey players enjoying the love of the sport in the gritty cold. Tournament director Tim O’Donnell explained, “Each team is guaranteed 3 games with the winners and runner ups playing 5 [games].  Players are required to be 18+. This is a pretty competitive event with some former Division I college players so there is a lot of talent out on the ice, which is what we want.” The entire event is 100 percent volunteer-based!

 

Food & Fun

An annual tradition of the Syracuse Pond Hockey Classic is celebrating a day of fun with beer, s'mores with all-day fire pits, the Food Rescue Food Truck, and other winter drinks like delicious hot cocoa. An additional perk of being downtown is that event goers will have the option of venturing to local bars and restaurants throughout Armory, Hanover and Clinton Square when the classic concludes. Places to check out near Clinton Square Ice Rink are Saltine Warrior Sports Pub, Maxwell's, Guadalajara Mexican Restaurant, and much more.

 

The Championship Game

The only thing better than a full day of pond hockey is watching the championship game under the lights. This year’s championship game will be at 7:00 pm under the lights of Clinton Square Ice Rink. Tell your friends and tell your families because in the words of the SPHC, it’s going to be….Classic!

Snow in Syracuse