Ice hockey in Italy refers to the sport of ice hockey as played within the country of Italy, including its leagues, national teams, infrastructure, and participation at international levels. Ice hockey is a minor but established sport in Italy, with a history of organized competition dating back to the early 20th century.
The governing body for ice hockey in Italy is the Federazione Italiana Sport del Ghiaccio (FISG), which is responsible for overseeing national competitions, selecting national teams, and managing affiliations with international organizations such as the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF). Italy has been a member of the IIHF since 1924.
Domestically, the top-tier professional league is known as the ICE Hockey League (formerly the Alps Hockey League), which includes teams from Italy, Austria, and Slovenia. Italian clubs such as HC Bolzano (also known as the Bolzano Foxes) and HC Bolzano have achieved notable success in regional and international competitions. The Italian Hockey League - Serie A is another domestic competition, though it operates at a lower level and often includes reserve or amateur teams.
Italy's men's national ice hockey team has participated in numerous IIHF World Championships, primarily in Division I or II, with occasional appearances in the top division during the mid-20th century. Italy qualified for the top division in recent years and competed in the 2022 IIHF World Championship. The national team also qualified for the men's ice hockey tournament at the 2026 Winter Olympics, to be held in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy.
Women's ice hockey in Italy is less developed but exists through a national league and a national women's team that competes in IIHF-sanctioned events, generally in lower divisions.
Ice hockey infrastructure in Italy is concentrated in the northern regions, particularly in the Alps, where cities like Bolzano, Cortina d'Ampezzo, and Merano have maintained ice rinks and developed youth programs. The sport benefits from localized cultural interest and historical continuity in these areas.
Overall, while ice hockey does not enjoy the level of popularity in Italy as football (soccer) or other mainstream sports, it maintains an organized presence with structured leagues, national representation, and growing support, especially in alpine regions.