Channel One Cup (EU) 2025/26

The Channel One Cup (Kubok Pervogo Kanala) is an annual invitational ice hockey tournament. Founded in 1967, the event has undergone several name changes over its history. From 1969 to 1996 it was the Izvestia Trophy, followed by the Baltika Cup until 2003 and the ROSCO Cup until 2005. The current title has been in use since 2006, when Channel One Russia began broadcasting the event. The competition is organized by the Ice Hockey Federation of Russia (FHR) and operates independently of domestic league structures like the KHL or VHL, meaning there is no promotion or relegation involved.

Format and participants

The tournament is structured as a round-robin competition involving three or four teams. In the 2025 season, the participants are the Russia U25 team, the national teams of Belarus and Kazakhstan, and occasionally a selection of foreign players from the KHL known as Legionnaires. Historically, the event served as a national team competition for the senior Russian squad and was a component of the Euro Hockey Tour (EHT) until 2021. Following Russia’s suspension from international competitions that year, the format shifted to focus on youth development and regional partners.

History and achievements

Russia, including the Soviet Union era, holds the record for the most titles with 38 wins. The Czech Republic, including the Czechoslovakia era, follows with nine titles. The current holder of the Cup is the Russia U25 team, having won the 2025 edition. The event remains distinct from club competitions such as the Gagarin Cup, maintaining its identity as an international national team fixture.