The Cancún Ice Rink opened its doors in August 2024, immediately becoming the first Olympic-sized venue of its kind in Latin America. In early 2027, it will make history once again by hosting its first international competition.
The Pan American Hockey Tournament will return after nine years, following its most recent edition at the Ice Dome rink of the Universidad Intercontinental (UIC) in Mexico City. The event will be endorsed by the Mexican Sports Federation of Ice Hockey, as well as by the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF).
The competition will take place from February 24 to March 1 and is expected to feature at least nine national teams from across the Americas. Players will be eligible to participate if they have roots in the country they represent dating back to their grandparents. However, the committee has established a rule requiring at least half of each roster to consist of players born in their respective country.
“We will launch an advertising campaign for the event across all our social media platforms,” said Joaquín de la Garma, president of the Mexican Sports Federation of Ice Hockey. “An official invitation will also be extended to every country in Latin America to become part of the project.”
De la Garma has been nominated to become a member of the IIHF council for the development of the sport in Latin America, Oceania, and Africa. This tournament is a fundamental part of his proposal to support countries where there are insufficient resources, ice rinks, or coaches.
“The Federation has another project on the table to support all these countries in achieving their dream and breaking the barriers that currently exist,” said de la Garma. “If Mexico achieved it, our Latin American brothers can achieve it too.”
Meanwhile, the rink’s management, led by Jesús Alcántara, wants to take advantage of Cancún’s tourism reputation to attract and delight potential participants. For this reason, each team will have off-ice experiences during their stay in Mexico, such as a yacht trip through the Caribbean or a tour of the region’s historic areas.
Since its inauguration, the Cancún Ice Rink has sought to promote winter sports in an unusual market, but it hopes to turn the city into a base market for hockey throughout the continent. For now, the rink has ice hockey and figure skating academies, while also attracting foreigners who have rented the ice to organize their own tournaments.
“We want to give continuity to a project that the Federation started,” said Alcántara. “The intention is for foreign players to come to Mexico and experience the local culture.”
The Pan American Hockey Tournament will receive significant support from the government sector, beginning with the Cancún Tourism Secretariat. In addition, the Quintana Roo Sports Commission (COJUDEQ), led by Javier Arzate, will donate additional bleachers to increase spectator capacity.
As a result, up to 1,500 people will be able to attend the Cancún Ice Rink free of charge to enjoy their favorite sport or learn about a discipline that is making significant progress in southeastern Mexico.
Source: nhl
