Preview site: dates, fees and details are subject to change before the official launch.Preview site: dates, fees and details may change before launch.
Thumb WarHockey Tournament
Register a Team
Port Austin, Michigan
Port Austin, Michigan

About Thumb War Hockey

An outdoor hockey tournament at the very tip of Michigan's Thumb, where Lake Huron freezes over and the whole town comes out to watch.

Our story

Born on the shore of Lake Huron

Thumb War started as a dare between a few beer-league captains who were tired of driving two hours for tournament hockey in a dim suburban arena. Why not play outside, in a town that already knows how to host a winter weekend, with a bonfire going between games?

The inaugural Thumb War 2026 at Gallup Park brought twelve teams from across the Thumb and beyond to Port Austin for three divisions, three guaranteed games each, and a championship Sunday that nobody wanted to end.

For 2027 the tournament moves a few blocks over into the brand-new Four Seasons Pavilion, a covered full-size outdoor rink with real boards, locker rooms and a warming space. Bigger ice. Bigger bracket. Same Thumb.

Outdoor on the lake

Real winter hockey a few blocks from Lake Huron.

3 games guaranteed

Pool play seeds a real playoff bracket.

Every level

Competitive, recreational and Over 40 divisions.

The weekend

Bonfires, hot food and the Saturday social.

The rink

Four Seasons Pavilion

Opening for winter 2026/27 on the site of the old high-school gym, the pavilion gives Port Austin a covered, full-size outdoor rink built for exactly this kind of weekend.

17Teams so far
25Games played
200Feet of ice
1Zamboni

Four Seasons Pavilion

8861 Line St, Port Austin, MI 48467

  • Covered, full-size (200 x 85 ft) outdoor sheet with real boards and glass
  • Team locker rooms and a heated warming space
  • Indoor restrooms, covered spectator seating
  • In-house Zamboni with a fresh cut between every game
  • Free parking on site, downtown and the harbor a short walk away
Open in Google Maps
Weekend at a glance

How the weekend runs

Exact game times are posted on the live schedule once the bracket is set.

Friday

Check-in & pool play

  • Captain check-in and roster verification from 4:00 pm
  • First puck drop at 6:00 pm, pool games into the evening
  • Bonfires lit, warming space open late
Saturday

Pool play, playoffs & social

  • Pool play from 8:00 am, playoffs in the afternoon across all divisions
  • Live standings update rinkside as scores come in
  • Saturday social downtown for players, families and fans between the playoffs and the finals
Saturday night

Championships under the lights

  • Semifinal winners advance from the afternoon bracket
  • Championship games in every division under the pavilion lights
  • Trophy presentations and team photos on the ice
FAQ

Good questions

The things every captain asks before they register. Still stuck? Send us a message and a real organizer will answer.

Port Austin has motels, inns, cottages and vacation rentals within a few minutes of the rink, and more in Caseville and Bad Axe. Our lodging partners offer a Thumb War team rate; ask us when you register and book early. Winter weekends fill up faster than you would think.

Full equipment including a helmet with a cage or visor, two jersey colors (light and dark) if you have them, and warm layers for between games. There is a heated warming space and locker rooms at the pavilion, but you will still want a toque, hand warmers and a dry pair of gloves. Skate sharpening is available rinkside.

Team fees are fully refundable up to 30 days before the first game. After that, fees are refundable minus a $100* administrative fee until the registration deadline (* subject to change before launch). Once the schedule is published, fees are non-refundable, though we will do our best to help you fill your roster rather than withdraw. If we cancel a tournament for any reason, every team receives a full refund.

We follow USA Hockey playing rules with tournament modifications for 4-on-4 outdoor play: running clock, two 20-minute halves in pool play, no body checking in recreational and Over 40 divisions, and a three-player shootout to settle playoff ties. The full rulebook is sent to every captain and posted before the event.

Adults 18 and over (21 and over for the Over 40 division, where every skater must be 40 by the first game). Divisions are grouped by skill level, and we review rosters to keep games competitive. No current professional or NCAA players in recreational divisions. Goalies may be shared between teams in different divisions with organizer approval.

It is outdoor hockey in Michigan in January, so dress for it. The Four Seasons Pavilion has a roof, so games go on through snow and rain. Only extreme cold, high winds or a thaw that affects ice safety will delay play. Any schedule changes are posted to the live schedule and texted to captains.

Free parking is available at the pavilion lot and on surrounding streets. On championship night we open an overflow lot nearby with a short walk to the rink. Please leave the spots closest to the entrance for players with gear and families with little ones.

Absolutely, and we hope they do. Spectators are free. There is covered seating, bonfires between the rink and the warming space, hot drinks, and the harbor and downtown are a short walk away. The Saturday night social is open to players, families and fans.

Yes. Local vendors serve hot food, coffee and hot chocolate at the pavilion all weekend, and downtown Port Austin restaurants are a few blocks away. Teams get a discount at our Saturday social host.

Every team plays at least three games: pool play on Friday evening and Saturday morning, then playoffs Saturday afternoon and championships Saturday night under the pavilion lights. Standings are computed live from scores entered rinkside, so you can follow your pool from your phone in the stands or back at the hotel.
Organizers

Run by players, for players

Thumb War Hockey is organized by a volunteer crew of Port Austin area hockey players, parents and business owners, with help from the Port Austin Area Chamber of Commerce and the local hockey community. Nobody here does this for a living. We do it because a weekend of outdoor hockey on the lake is the best weekend of the winter.

Proceeds after costs go back into ice time for youth hockey in the Thumb. Want to help? We always need scorekeepers, gate volunteers and bonfire crew. Volunteer with us.

Outdoor hockey on the shore of Lake Huron with a bonfire going between games. We have played tournaments all over Michigan and nothing else feels like this.

Jake ReinkeCaptain, Bad Axe Bruisers

Registration took five minutes on my phone, the schedule was always up to date, and the organizers actually answered texts. Our whole group is already signed up for next year.

Sara WoelkeCaptain, Turnip Rockets
See you in January

Bring your team to the Thumb

Thumb War 2027 · Jan 15–16, 2027 · Four Seasons Pavilion

Register a Team Contact us