The Champions Hockey League and the University of Applied Sciences of the Grisons are once again joining forces in an educational partnership. For the third consecutive year, students of the bachelor program in Sport Management will participate in a practical project with the CHL, combining academic knowledge with real-world application.
As part of the collaboration, student teams analyse the communication strategies of CHL clubs during the season, benchmark best practices, and develop innovative recommendations to enhance fan engagement and visibility. The results will be presented in pitches to a panel of experts in January 2026. The top three teams will have the opportunity to present their ideas after CHL Final 2026 to the CHL Growth Committee, with the winning team receiving a VIP invitation to a CHL game in the 2026/27 season.
“The cooperation with the University has become a valuable tradition for us,” said CHL President Jörgen Lindgren. “The students bring fresh perspectives, creativity, and innovative approaches that help us further develop our communication strategies across Europe. At the same time, we share the project results with the participating clubs to foster knowledge transfer and create even greater value across our CHL community.”
The University of Applied Sciences of the Grisons also highlights the importance of this ongoing partnership. “This project allows our students to apply their academic knowledge in a professional sports context while working on tangible solutions for an international competition,” said Prof. Dr. Jon Andrea Schocher, Professor of Sport Management at University of Applied Sciences of the Grisons. “The continuous collaboration with CHL enriches our curriculum and provides our students with a unique career-oriented experience.”
The project, embedded in the Sport sponsoring module, has become an established part of the academic year at the University of Applied Sciences of the Grisons. By working directly with the CHL, students gain valuable insights into sports communication, fan engagement, and digital media strategies in a European context.