Helsinki, 19.8.2026 – ILVES+, powered by Icareus, brings together video, live broadcasts and other media content from Ilves’ top-level ice hockey and football teams in a single digital service. Officially launched on 14 August 2026, the service had already attracted thousands of registered users during the summer.
Ilves is taking a major step in developing its digital media operations by bringing audiovisual content from its ice hockey and football first teams together under ILVES+. Built on Icareus Video Cloud for Sports OTT, the service enables Ilves to centrally manage, distribute and monetise content through a single branded platform.
ILVES+ gives supporters one destination for videos, live broadcasts, replays and audio content from both sports. Content is available through the web service as well as Ilves’ mobile applications.
ILVES+ had already built up its audience before its official launch with six European matches
ILVES+ was built and launched in four weeks so that the service would be ready in time for the summer’s European matches. Ahead of its official launch, the service streamed six matches live and, in the process, attracted thousands of registered users.
ILVES+ officially launched on 14 August 2026. The first broadcasts had already demonstrated strong supporter interest in live and subscription content delivered directly through the club’s own digital environment.
The service supports both free and premium content. Ilves can create separate content and subscription packages for ice hockey and football supporters, offer a combined package covering both sports, and sell access to individual live events on a pay-per-view basis.
ILVES+ integrates with the club’s existing digital services
ILVES+ is not a separate entity – it’s integrated into the club’s existing digital channels.
Ice hockey content can be accessed through Ilves’ Liiga mobile application developed by Digia, while football content is integrated into the first team’s mobile application developed by Choicely.
These integrations allow supporters to access video and media content through familiar Ilves channels. At the same time, the club can centrally manage content, users, access rights and commercial models through the Icareus platform.
A platform for developing club-owned media
Ilves produces a broad range of content throughout the year, placing significant demands on the technology behind the service. The platform needs to support multiple content formats, large numbers of simultaneous viewers, different subscription models and varying access rights.
The Icareus Sports OTT solution provides Ilves with the tools to manage, publish and monetize live broadcasts, on-demand video and audio content. The platform can also be developed step by step as the audience, content offering and commercial requirements grow.
The unified service helps Ilves create a more consistent digital supporter experience and strengthen its direct relationship with fans. At the same time, the club gains valuable first-party insights into how its content is consumed and what interests its audience.
The unified ILVES+ service gives Ilves a foundation for developing its own media, deepening its relationship with supporters and creating new ways to distribute and monetize content.
Explore ILVES+: https://www.ilvesplus.com/en
About Ilves
Tampereen Ilves, founded in 1931, is one of Finland’s best-known and largest sports communities. The organisation is active across several sports, but is particularly recognised for its successful ice hockey and football operations, whose first teams compete at the highest national level.
Over the decades, Ilves has built a strong position in Finnish sport through both elite competition and extensive youth activities. Deeply rooted in Tampere, the Ilves community reaches tens of thousands of participants, supporters and partners every year.
The club’s professional ice hockey operations are managed by Ilves-Hockey Oy, while Ilves Edustus Oy is responsible for the football first team. The Ilves brand is among the most recognised and respected in Finnish sport.
Ilves ice hockey: https://www.ilves.com/
Ilves football: https://www.ilvesfootball.com/
About Icareus
Icareus helps organisations build their own media, video and streaming services. Our customers include sports clubs, leagues and federations, media companies, enterprises and public-sector organisations.
Icareus Video Cloud for Sports OTT is used across sports including ice hockey, floorball, Finnish baseball, futsal and football to build commercially sustainable media and streaming services. Our solutions enable organisations to manage, distribute and monetise their content while building a direct relationship with their audiences.
Learn more about Icareus Sports: https://icareus.com/solutions/sports/