Mats Åhlberg played with two clubs during his career. From 1963-66 he played with Avesta BK and from 1966-81 he was with Leksands IF. With Leksands, Åhlberg won Swedish titles in 1969 and 1973-75 and he was the top goal scorer of the 1977 Swedish championships. He was also selected to the Swedish Championships all-star team in 1973-75 and 1977.
Åhlberg was capped 164 times with the Swedish national team. He won an Olympic bronze in 1980, won World Championship silvers in 1973 and 1977 and bronzes in 1974-76. Åhlberg was the captain of Swedish national team at the 1977 World Championships. He also won silvers at the 1973, 1976 and 1977 European Championships and bronzes at the 1974, 1975 and 1978 Europeans. Åhlberg was awarded the Stora Grabbars Märke (Big Boys’ Badge) #88 in ice hockey.