West Michigan college hockey fans, take note: Michigan Tech is hosting the Great Lakes Invitational, and you don’t have to drive anywhere (besides downtown Grand Rapids) to catch it.
The two-day college hockey tournament is coming to our very own Van Andel Arena on Dec. 29-30, bringing four teams—and one of college hockey’s longest-running tournament traditions—to downtown Grand Rapids.
Tickets for the 60th Great Lakes Invitational go on sale Friday, Oct. 2, at 10 a.m.
Michigan Tech will host GLI mainstay Michigan State, along with Western Michigan and Lindenwood, as the teams compete for the MacInnes Cup.
The tournament opens Tuesday, Dec. 29, with Michigan Tech taking on Western Michigan at 3:30 p.m. Michigan State will face Lindenwood at 7 p.m. The winners advance to the championship game Wednesday night at 7 p.m., while the third-place game gets underway at 3:30 p.m.
And if you’re planning your seats now, each school’s designated sections are:
Michigan Tech: Alumni 124; Students 224 & 225
Michigan State: Alumni 106; Students 205 & 206
Lindenwood: Alumni 110; Students 209 & 210
Western Michigan: Alumni 120; Students 220 & 221
A 60-year hockey tradition
The Great Lakes Invitational dates back to 1965, when Michigan Tech coach John MacInnes, Olympia Stadium General Manager Lincoln Cavalieri and Detroit Red Wings scout Jack Paterson came up with the idea for the tournament.
Over the decades, the GLI has become a holiday-season tradition, with stops at Olympia Stadium, Joe Louis Arena, Comerica Park and Little Caesars Arena. After the 2020 tournament was canceled because of COVID-19 and a showcase-style event was held in 2021, the GLI found a home in Grand Rapids in 2022.
Now, for the fifth consecutive tournament, Van Andel Arena will host the action.
Michigan Tech has captured the MacInnes Cup 12 times and most recently won in 2023. Michigan State, meanwhile, enters as the defending back-to-back champion and has 14 GLI titles. Western Michigan has made seven previous appearances and has four tournament championships.
For Lindenwood, this year’s tournament marks a first: the 2026 GLI will be the program’s debut.
So, whether you’re pulling for the Huskies, Spartans, Broncos or Lions, fans can purchase online at Ticketmaster.com and at the box office during regular hours for the December 29 and 30 tournament. For ticket pricing and availability, visit Ticketmaster.com.
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