Welsh Cup Returns as Dragons Prepare to Defend Their Crown

The Deeside Dragons are delighted to announce the return of the Welsh Cup, as we prepare to welcome Cardiff Fire to Deeside Ice Rink on Saturday 5th December for a winner-takes-all showdown.

Now in its third consecutive year since the competition’s revival, the Welsh Cup has quickly become one of the standout fixtures in the Welsh ice hockey calendar. More than just a trophy, it is a celebration of Welsh ice hockey and an opportunity to showcase the passion, talent and continued growth of the sport across the country.

The Dragons have been fortunate to lift the trophy in each of the previous two editions, overcoming Cardiff Fire in two fiercely contested finals. Last season saw Deeside secure an 8-4 aggregate victory over two legs, following the unforgettable inaugural Welsh Cup in 2024, which the Dragons edged 16-14 on aggregate.

This year’s competition sees a change in format, with the trophy to be decided over a single game. With both clubs facing increasingly busy domestic schedules, the decision was taken jointly to stage a one-legged final, and the Dragons would like to place on record their sincere thanks to Cardiff Fire for making the journey north and supporting a format that ensures the Welsh Cup continues to thrive alongside league commitments.

Deeside Dragons General Manager Shaun Bebbington said:

“The Welsh Cup has become a really important fixture for both clubs and for Welsh ice hockey as a whole. There’s a huge amount of respect between ourselves and Cardiff Fire. While we’re fierce competitors on the ice, we share the same ambition of growing the game in Wales and providing our supporters with occasions they can be proud of.

I’d like to thank everyone at Cardiff Fire for working with us to make this year’s competition possible. With such a packed domestic calendar, moving to a one-game final was the right decision for both clubs, and it’s great that Cardiff are making the trip to Deeside to ensure the Welsh Cup remains part of the season.

We’ve been fortunate enough to win the competition over the last two years, but those results count for nothing once the puck drops. Cardiff are a well coached, hard working team and we’re expecting another competitive game. Hopefully we can put on a fantastic spectacle for both sets of supporters and continue to showcase the very best of Welsh ice hockey.”

The Welsh Cup Final will also mark the beginning of the festive hockey schedule and promises to be another memorable occasion between two clubs that continue to drive the development of the game in Wales.

Face-off is at 5:15pm on Saturday 5th December at Deeside Ice Rink.

Ticket details and further match information will be announced in the coming weeks. The Dragons encourage supporters from across North and South Wales to come together and enjoy what promises to be another fantastic celebration of Welsh ice hockey.