The Zurich Skating Club was founded on 15 October 1930 and became Swiss ice hockey champions in 1936, 1949, 1961, 2000, 2001, 2008, 2012, 2014, 2018 and most recently in 2024. Other honours include winning the Spengler Cup in 1944 and 1945, the IIHF Continental Cup in 2000/01 and 2001/02, the original Champions Hockey League in 2008/09, the Victoria Cup in 2009 and the Champions Hockey League in 2025.

Formerly known as Zürcher SC (or ZSC), the club became officially known as the ZSC Lions after merging with the Grasshopper-Club Zürich hockey team in 1997 (today GCK Lions). ZSC played at the Dolder Ice Rink from 1930 to 1950 and at Hallenstadion Zurich since 1950. During the 2004/05 season, all home games were played in the neighbouring Stadiönli rink while Hallenstadion was being renovated. The ZSC Lions returned to Hallenstadion, with a capacity of 11,200, for the 2005/06 season, but moved to a recently constructed Swiss Life Arena in late 2022.

The Lions had one of their most successful seasons for some time in 2017/18. With the team underperforming and already out of the CHL in the Quarter-Finals stage, a coaching change was made to reverse their fortunes. While the impact wasn't immediate, the seventh seeds would go on to win the NL championship in seven games against Lugano and end a three-year dry spell for the national title. 

Zurich have participated in eight previous CHL seasons and enter 2025/26 as the reigning European Club Champions.