With 16 national championships, Ilves Tampere are the second-most successful hockey club in Finland behind local rivals Tappara. The club was founded in the spring of 1931 and played its first game against Tampereen Palloilijat the next winter. In the late 1930s, Ilves won their first three titles, and the team continued to dominate through the 40s, 50s and 60s. Their most recent was in 1985.

In the Finnish language, Ilves means "lynx", the animal depicted in the team's logo, which was designed by Rauno Broms in 1963. In 1965, Ilves and Tappara local rivals Tappara and KooVee into the new Hakametsä arena, where they still play. There are currently plans to build a new multi-purpose arena in Tampere that would house the city's top two hockey teams.

Internationally, Ilves biggest success was reaching the final of the European Cup in 1966/67 against ZKL Brno. After finishing fourth in the Liiga standings in 2019/20, they have qualified for the Champions Hockey League for the first time. It will also be the first time that two teams from the same city will compete.

Quick Facts

• Founded in 1931
• Have won 16 Finnish titles, most recently in 1985
• Reached European Cup final in 1966/67
• Making CHL debut