Understanding 'Stay-to-Play' Policies: What Parents Need to Know

If you're new to youth hockey tournaments, you may have come across the term "stay-to-play." At Nickel City Hockey, we believe it's important for families to fully understand how stay-to-play policies work, why they're in place, and how they actually benefit players, parents, and the overall tournament experience.

What is a Stay-to-Play Policy?

A stay-to-play policy requires teams participating in a tournament to book accommodations through designated tournament-approved hotels. These hotels are selected and contracted by the tournament organizers to ensure quality standards, competitive rates, and proximity to tournament venues.

Nickel City Hockey Stay-to-Play Policy Details

All Nickel City Hockey tournaments are Stay-To-Play events. This means:

• Booking outside of the available room blocks is strictly prohibited.

• Any team that violates this policy will be disqualified from the event.

Teams are considered "out-of-town" and subject to this policy if:

• Their home rink is more than 80 miles from the primary tournament venue, or

• Their drive time exceeds one hour and thirty minutes.

There are no exceptions to this requirement.

Important: Do not contact hotels directly. All reservations must be made through TD Travel, the official housing partner for Nickel City Hockey. Any reservations made outside of this process will be automatically canceled when final team rooming lists are submitted to the hotels.

Why Do Tournaments Use Stay-to-Play Policies?

Stay-to-play policies have become common in youth sports for several reasons:

1. Securing the Best Hotel Rates - Organizers negotiate special group pricing with local hotels, securing lower rates than families typically find independently.

2. Simplifying Travel Logistics - With vetted hotels near the rinks, families save time, and teams can stay together for easier coordination and more fun.

3. Supporting Tournament Operations - Hotel partnerships help offset tournament costs like ice time, officiating, staffing, and amenities that improve the overall experience.

4. Boosting the Local Economy - Working with area hotels drives business to the local community, something that helps keep rinks, restaurants, and attractions available for future tournaments.

How Stay-to-Play Improves Your Tournament Experience

At Nickel City Hockey, our stay-to-play policy allows us to:

• Maintain High Standards - Partner hotels are reviewed for safety, cleanliness, and family-friendly amenities.

• Promote Team Bonding - Staying together builds team spirit and allows for shared meals, strategy sessions, and downtime.

• Offer Extra Perks - Many hotels include breakfast, free parking, or shuttles to the rink for added convenience.

• Provide Better Support - Should any issues arise, centralized booking enables our staff to quickly resolve problems with hotel partners.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I book my own hotel or use points? No. All participating teams must book through TD Travel and stay at approved hotels to comply with the stay-to-play policy. Reservations made outside the system will be canceled and may lead to disqualification.

What if the hotel sells out? We closely monitor hotel availability and will expand options or room blocks as needed. Communication will be provided to team managers.

Do I need to contact the hotel directly? No. All reservations must go through TD Travel. Contacting hotels directly may result in incorrect bookings, which will be canceled once final lists are provided.

Our Commitment

We know travel is a significant part of any youth tournament. Our stay-to-play policy isn’t about limiting choice, it’s about creating the best possible tournament experience for everyone involved. From negotiated rates to team bonding opportunities and a smoother check-in process, our policy helps everyone focus on what matters most: great hockey and unforgettable memories.

If you have any questions or need help booking your team’s rooms, reach out to us or TD Travel, we’re here to support you every step of the way.