Story Summary
The Klagenfurt club has run the venue with Kärnten aktiv Veranstaltungs- und Catering GmbH since August, allowing KAC to benefit directly from hospitality income at home games in the Heidi Horten-Arena for the first time in years.
The concern centres on increased prices and reduced access. The café now opens only on first-team home-game days, beginning two hours before face-off, leaving many youth, hobby and amateur teams unable to use it after training sessions and games.
Key Facts
- EC KAC has operated the Timeout café at Sepp-Puschnig-Halle with Kärnten aktiv Veranstaltungs- und Catering GmbH since August.
- The arrangement allows KAC to receive hospitality income from its home games at the Heidi Horten-Arena.
- The price of a beer has risen from 5.20 euros to 6.50 euros.
- Timeout is currently open only on KAC first-team home-game days and opens two hours before the start of the game.
- Youth, hobby and amateur teams generally cannot use the café after their training sessions and matches under the current hours.
- Families attending Sunday morning Bambini training for children aged three to five can no longer use the café to warm up and watch the session.
IHM Discussion
The issue is not simply about match-night catering. Timeout had been a shared meeting place around the rink, used by players and families whose hockey activity falls outside the first team’s home schedule. Its restricted operation has therefore affected parts of the club environment that do not naturally overlap with KAC matchdays.
The new arrangement also creates a clear split between the commercial value of first-team fixtures and everyday access for the wider hockey community. For parents at Sunday Bambini sessions, the closure is particularly noticeable: the neighbouring Frankie’s does not open until 11am.
Why It Matters
Rinks are more than venues for senior fixtures. Youth teams, amateur sides and families spend long hours around them, and practical facilities can shape how welcoming that time feels. The criticism surrounding Timeout reflects the loss of a place where people previously stayed after hockey to talk and spend time together.
KAC’s ability to benefit from hospitality revenue is a significant part of the takeover, but the current opening model has put that commercial change in tension with the café’s former day-to-day role within the hall.
Mini Q&A
Why are KAC users unhappy with the Timeout café changes?
Criticism has focused on higher drink prices and opening hours limited to first-team home-game days.
Who has been affected by the restricted opening hours?
Youth players, hobby and amateur teams, supporters and families attending Bambini training have been affected.
When can the Timeout café currently open?
It is currently open on KAC first-team home-game days from two hours before the start of the game.