Elite League Ice Hockey: A BIT, ABOUT…

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Elite League Regular Season Champions (2003/04–2023/24)

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• Sheffield Steelers were champions in the following seasons: 2003/04, 2008/09, 2010/11, 2014/15, 2015/16, 2023/24.

• Coventry Blaze secured the league title in 2004/05, 2006/07, 2007/08, 2009/10.

• Belfast Giants won in 2005/06, 2011/12, 2013/14, 2018/19, 2021/22, 2022/23.

• Nottingham Panthers won the title in 2012/13.

• Cardiff Devils finished first in 2016/17, 2017/18.

• 2019/20 season: No Champion was declared.

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Elite League Playoff Finals

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• 2003/04: Sheffield Steelers (winners) – Nottingham Panthers (runners-up)

• 2004/05: Coventry Blaze – Nottingham Panthers

• 2005/06: Newcastle Vipers – Sheffield Steelers

• 2006/07: Nottingham Panthers – Cardiff Devils

• 2007/08: Sheffield Steelers – Coventry Blaze

• 2008/09: Sheffield Steelers – Nottingham Panthers

• 2009/10: Belfast Giants – Cardiff Devils

• 2010/11: Nottingham Panthers – Cardiff Devils

• 2011/12: Nottingham Panthers – Cardiff Devils

• 2012/13: Nottingham Panthers – Belfast Giants

• 2013/14: Sheffield Steelers – Belfast Giants

• 2014/15: Coventry Blaze – Sheffield Steelers

• 2015/16: Nottingham Panthers – Coventry Blaze

• 2016/17: Sheffield Steelers – Cardiff Devils

• 2017/18: Cardiff Devils – Sheffield Steelers

• 2018/19: Cardiff Devils – Belfast Giants

• 2019/20: No Champion declared

• 2021/22: Cardiff Devils – Belfast Giants

• 2022/23: Belfast Giants – Cardiff Devils

• 2023/24: Sheffield Steelers – Belfast Giants

• 2024/25: Nottingham Panthers – Cardiff Devils

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These results show variation in performance among teams over time. The Elite Ice Hockey League, established in 2003 to replace the Ice Hockey Superleague, is the highest level of the sport in the UK and includes teams from England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

The EIHL conducts three competitions each season. The British Championship play-offs determine the national champion at the end of the season. The regular league season identifies the team with the best overall performance as the EIHL League champion and also sets playoff seeding. In addition, the Challenge Cup consists of group stages followed by knockout rounds to decide the cup winner.

As of 2025, the league consists of ten teams: five based in England, three in Scotland, one in Wales, and one in Northern Ireland, making it the only sports league in the UK with representation from all four nations. Over twenty completed seasons, five clubs have won the league championship, and six different teams have been playoff national champions, reflecting changes in success across the league.