There were 1,685 press releases posted in the last 24 hours and 413,141 in the last 365 days.

Gazprom Neft joins forces with the city of Sochi in developing the Gazprom Neft Cup Kids’ Hockey Tournament

Gazprom Neft has entered into an agreement with the City of Sochi local government on joining forces to prepare for and manage the Gazprom Neft Cup International Kids’ Hockey Tournament, in a signing ceremony attended by Alexander Dyukov, CEO and Chairman of the Management Board, Gazprom Neft, and the Mayor of Sochi, Alexei Kopaygorodsky.

Established in 2007 to promote and develop the game of hockey throughout those regions in which the company operates, the Gazprom Neft Cup is, today, the world’s largest non-commercial under-11s children’s hockey tournament, and an important element in hockey training at the national level. For the last four years in a row The Gazprom Neft Cup has been hosted in Sochi with all sports and social infrastructure in place. This new agreement reinforces that process, with Gazprom Neft and the city government agreeing to make Sochi’s Olympic facilities the venue for the tournament, every year.

Under that agreement Gazprom Neft will be responsible for managing all activities and financing all initiatives involved in preparing for and holding the tournament, while the city government will, in turn, provide support and assistance in various areas including security and public order at tournament venues and players’ accommodation, providing players with medical services, and managing advertising campaigns.

“Our city has extensive experience in holding major sporting events, so we are well placed to assist the organisers of this international kids’ hockey tournament. Volunteers, medics, security — all the resources necessary will be made available. Sochi is keen to hold events at this level: it means local residents can enjoy some outstanding moments in sport, as well as attracting more guests to the city.”

Alexei Kopaygorodsky Mayor of Sochi

“Sochi is the ideal place for holding a tournament of the size and standard of the Gazprom Neft Cup. Its Olympic-class sports facilities, well-developed hotel and transport infrastructure, and its mild climate and unique natural environment offer perfect conditions for these young sportsmen, and all tournament guests. Another important success factor in implementing such a large-scale project is local government’s engagement in developing hockey and youth sport. The agreement signed today is proof of our mutual interest in investing our joint strengths, knowledge and experience in hosting the world’s biggest non-profit children’s hockey tournament — the Gazprom Neft Cup. There’s no doubt that the tournament will continue to be held at the highest standards in 2020, and beyond — to the delight of young sportsmen and multitudes of hockey fans!”

Alexander Dybal

Alexander Dybal member of the Gazprom Neft Management Board and Chairman of the tournament Organising Committee

Notes for editors

The Gazprom Neft Cup was established by Gazprom Neft as an under-11s’ youth ice-hockey tournament in 2007. The company remains responsible for the full financing and organisation of the event. The Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) has partnered the tournament since 2010.

Tournament competitors come from the junior sides of KHL club teams, with international clubs that are not members of the KHL participating on the basis of ‘one team per country’.

The geographic range of teams competing in the tournament increases year after year, with 35 teams, from 12 countries — including Austria, Belarus, Finland, Germany, Italy, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Slovakia, Switzerland and Russia — taking part in the XIV Gazprom Neft Cup. The Gazprom Neft Cup is, today, the largest non-commercial international under-11s’ youth hockey tournament in the world.

XIV Gazprom Neft Cup games will be held at Sochi’s Bolshoy and Iceberg ice arenas between 13 and 17 April 2020. The tournament enjoys an unparalleled level of organisation for a youth tournament, with matches being held at Olympic ice arenas, matches officiated by professional judges (referees), the Opening and Super Final Ceremonies broadcast live on the MatchTV and KHL television channels, and matches covered by leading Russian media organisations. The tournament final brings together thousands of fans, and includes a spectacular multimedia show, matching the best in the world.