Registration is now open for The 2026 APH Invitational
But first! Thanks to all of you, we are the proud recipients of the 2025 Wisconsin Governor’s Tourism Award for Service Excellence—a reflection of our commitment to hospitality, precision, and positive community impact. Thank you for your support, we can’t wait to continue improving as we look forward to 2026.
🏆 The 2026 Invitational is February 6-8 🏒
in MInocqua, Wisconsin.
The Open Division is for all players: rec teams, senior hockey, co-ed hockey, rat hockey, club, high school, and social teams of all ages (21+). We give you an option to choose level A or B at sign up to better align you with similar-level teams.
The Premier division is reserved for elite-level players and is by invite-only. Premier players are defined as those with experience at the professional, junior, collegiate, MN High School, or AAA levels, or teams having won a major pond hockey tournament in the past 5 years.
If you believe your team belongs in this elite category and would like to be considered, please join the waitlist or email will@americanpondhockey.com for more information.
✨ New This Year
We’re committed to constant improvement—and 2026 will bring several exciting upgrades based on player feedback and tournament observations:
Food truck(s): We’re excited to finally get approval to invite food trucks to downtown Minocqua!
Lounge Area: A new community space where teams and spectators can hang out, warm up, or connect between games.
Earlier Championship Timing: Final Premier-level games will take place earlier on Saturday, giving teams more time afterward to celebrate and enjoy the local nightlife together.
Reigning in of the Announcer: Don’t worry, Luciano isn’t going anywhere, but we heard your feedback that you want more music between games and a break from the announcer’s energy. We’ll find that balance in 2026.
Open Playoffs moved to Sunday AM: The top 8 open teams will compete in a single elimination playoff on Sunday with an 11:30 AM championship. Premier championship will take place in primetime on Saturday.
More Staggered Game Load: To preserve ice quality and allow more frequent resurfacing—ensuring excellent playing conditions from start to finish.
Hot Water Resurfacing: We’re excited about our new off-grid hot-water rig for that final silky finish after power broom clean ups.
What Sets American Pond Hockey Apart?
American Pond Hockey isn’t just another tournament—it’s a player-first experience built from the ice up. Our mission is to over-serve every team, delivering a level of care and professionalism typically reserved for elite athletes. From detailed pre-event communication to hands-on hospitality throughout the weekend, we take pride in creating a tournament environment that feels intentional, personal, and elevated.
What sets us apart? It starts with our ice. We obsess over rink quality to give players the cleanest, safest, most consistent surface possible—because outdoor hockey should feel as good as it looks. Off the ice, every detail matters: from curated music and scheduled game times to warm-up zones and real-time updates, we go further so you can focus on having a good time.
Players also enjoy unique amenities that elevate the entire experience, including handcrafted, limited-edition American Pond Hockey beer and exclusive merchandise—available only on-site. And when it's time to recover or warm up, our wood-burning saunas are fired up and waiting.
Get your squad ready, mark your calendars, and stay tuned for updates.
See you on the ice.
