Nickel City Hockey Heads South: Announcing Battle at Boca, Our First Florida Tournament

Nickel City Hockey is proud to announce the newest addition to our tournament lineup, and it comes with palm trees, ocean breezes, and championship hockey. Introducing Battle at Boca, our first-ever event in the state of Florida, taking place in beautiful Boca Raton over MLK Weekend 2027 (Friday, January 15 – Sunday, January 17).

For years, Nickel City Hockey has built a reputation for delivering elite competition, top-tier facilities, and tournament experiences that players and families look forward to all season long. Now, we're bringing that same energy to the Sunshine State. Our expansion into Florida marks an exciting new chapter, and there's no better way to kick it off than with a true destination tournament in one of South Florida's most beautiful coastal cities.

We couldn't be more excited to plant our flag in Florida, and we're inviting teams from across North America to be part of the very first Battle at Boca.

Escape the Winter and Chase a Championship

Let's be honest, January can be brutal for hockey families in the north. While your neighbors are shoveling driveways and scraping windshields, imagine trading the snowbanks for sunshine, sandy beaches, and 75-degree afternoons. Battle at Boca is your team's invitation to escape the winter and turn a long holiday weekend into the getaway of the season.

Boca Raton sits on Florida's Atlantic coast, roughly halfway between Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach, and it's the perfect backdrop for a destination tournament. Between games, families can soak up the beautiful beaches, explore world-class dining, hit the shops, or simply relax poolside. This isn't just a tournament, it's a hockey vacation the whole family will remember long after the final buzzer.

And because it lands on MLK Weekend, most players get an extra day off school, making travel easier and the weekend a little longer. Play hard, then enjoy everything South Florida has to offer.

Elite Competition Across Every Level

Battle at Boca isn't just about the destination, the hockey is the real headliner. This event brings together top teams from across the United States and Canada for one of the biggest youth hockey weekends of the year.

We're offering divisions across every competitive level, so teams of all abilities have a place to compete and grow:

• Tier I (AAA) — the highest level of competition for teams chasing elite matchups

• Tier II (AA) — strong, competitive hockey for teams ready to test themselves

• Tier III (A, B, BB) — a great environment for developing teams to compete and improve

Age divisions run the full range from 9U through 18U, including 9U, 10U, 11U, 12U, 13U, 14U, 15U, 16U, and 18U, in Boys and Coed divisions. Whatever your team's age and level, there's a division built for you.

Every team is guaranteed a minimum of four games, so you'll get plenty of ice time and real competition, not a quick weekend that's over before it starts. Games begin bright and early at 7:00 AM on Friday, with championship games wrapping up by 7:00 PM on Sunday, giving families a full weekend of hockey and a clean travel day on the holiday Monday.

World-Class Facilities and a First-Class Experience

At Nickel City Hockey, we know that a great tournament is about more than just the games. It's the facilities, the organization, and the little details that make a weekend feel special. Battle at Boca is being built to deliver on all of it, incredible facilities, smooth scheduling, and the kind of well-run event experience our tournaments are known for.

Your full game schedule will be released seven days before the event, giving you time to plan your weekend, book your beach time, and coordinate travel with confidence. From the moment you arrive to the final handshake, our goal is simple: let your players focus on hockey while your family enjoys an unforgettable getaway.

A Destination Tournament Worth Traveling For

There's something special about a tournament that doubles as a family adventure. Battle at Boca is designed to be exactly that, a chance to compete against top competition while making memories off the ice. Picture morning games followed by afternoons on the beach, team dinners at incredible restaurants, and the shared excitement of chasing a championship together in paradise.

For players, it's a rare opportunity to test themselves against elite teams from across the continent in a big-event atmosphere. For families, it's a reason to come together, unwind, and enjoy South Florida in the middle of winter. For everyone, it's the kind of weekend that becomes a highlight of the entire season.

Tournament Details at a Glance

• Event: Battle at Boca

• Host: Nickel City Hockey

• Location: Boca Raton, Florida

• Dates: MLK Weekend 2027 — Friday, January 15 to Sunday, January 17

• Age Divisions: 9U, 10U, 11U, 12U, 13U, 14U, 15U, 16U, 18U

• Categories: Boys & Coed

• Levels: Tier I (AAA), Tier II (AA), Tier III (A, B, BB)

• Guarantee: Four-game guarantee

• Entry Fee: $2,899 – $2,999 USD

• Schedule: Games begin at 7:00 AM Friday; championship games complete by 7:00 PM Sunday

• Schedule Release: 7 days before the event

• USAH Sanction Number: TBA

Register Today

Spots for our inaugural Florida tournament are limited, and we expect strong interest from teams across North America who want to be part of the first-ever Battle at Boca. If you've been looking for a reason to trade the cold for the coast this winter, this is it.

Grab your team, pack your bags, and get ready for a weekend of elite hockey and sunshine in Boca Raton.

Register your team for Battle at Boca here.

We can't wait to welcome you to Florida. See you in Boca!