Poland has slowly been a hockey country on the rise, where hockey culture has grown over the past decade.

Poland blends historic Eastern European charm with modern energy, offering everything from Baltic beaches to mountain resorts, medieval old towns to vibrant nightlife. The cost of living is low, the food scene is incredible (and underrated), and Poles are known for their warmth and strong sense of community.

If you want to be part of a hockey scene that's building momentum for locals (and imports), Poland is worth a serious look.

Ex-pat Friendliness:

Moderate
Poland is genuinely a pretty friendly place for ex-pats and import players, but you'll occasionally be reminded that you're in Eastern Europe especially in older towns and when talking with older generations as many of them didn't learn English in school growing up. Show courtesy and Polish people overall are generally very welcoming.

Cost of Living:

Very Affordable
The cost of living across most of Poland is very affordable. Players have repeatedly told us this over the years.

Weather/Climate:

Eastern Continental
Poland's climate is somewhat continental with cold snowy winters (25-35°F/-4 to 2°C) and warm summers (68-77°F/20-25°C). Months in the season provide winter conditions from December through February.

Proximity of Travel:

Eastern Explorer

In Poland, you're pretty well located in Eastern Europe. Besides the staples in Poland (Krakow, Warsaw), to the East you have Prague and Berlin. To the northeast, you can get to the Baltics. Czech Republic and Slovakia are close to the Southwest. The mountainous regions of Zakopane offer some of the best skiing terrain around the region.

Hockey Culture:

On the Rise

Hockey in Poland is growing rapidly.

The sport has gained significant momentum in recent years, with improving infrastructure, stronger competition, and increasing interest across the country.

Leagues

The Polish Hockey League (PHL) is the top senior league for hockey in Poland.

Poland2 (1 Liga) sits below it as well as several youth and junior tiers.

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