Cup Competition Shake-Up: What’s New in the EIHL Challenge Cup and Continental Cup 2025/26 Season?

Fresh Formats, Fierce Rivalries and Continental Dreams.

 If you’re like myself, you’re already counting down the days to faceoff for the brand new 2025/26 Elite Ice Hockey League season. But before the first whistle blows, there’s news you can’t afford to miss—because the EIHL Challenge Cup and the Continental Cup are both getting a dramatic new twist!

Challenge Cup: Seeding Just Got Serious

The days of the top seed handpicking their semi-final opponent are over. At July’s league summit, all ten teams agreed—fairness and performance should rule the day. So here’s the lowdown for next season’s Challenge Cup:

·         Seeding by Win Percentage: Only group stage results count. The days of strategic picking are gone; every win matters!

·         How It Works: The two group winners get seeded 1st and 2nd based solely on their group stage win percentages. The next best two, regardless of group, are seeded 3rd and 4th, also by win percentage.

·         Semi-Final Matchups: It’s 1 vs 4 and 2 vs 3. Simple, fair, and guaranteed drama.

·         Home Ice Advantage: Top seeds earn the right to choose whether they play the crucial second leg at home—so every group game is more intense than ever!

·         Elimination Game Results: Don’t fret—these don’t impact your seeding. Group stage is king.

Continental Cup Final: Nottingham Panthers Ready for the Big Stage

That’s not all! The Continental Cup Final is coming to the UK, and the Nottingham Panthers are already in. The Panthers skip the November qualifiers and go straight to the final—hosted in the heart of Nottingham in mid-January.

Who’s joining them? Get ready for a true international battle:

·         GKS Katowice (Poland)

·         Torpezo (Kazakhstan)

·         Herning Blue Fox (Denmark)

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And don’t forget, two more teams will qualify out of November’s electrifying round in Angers, France. The road to the Motorpoint Arena starts with groups in Lithuania and Romania this October, so keep an eye on every result.

This season, every game counts more than ever. Coaches will be pulling out all the stops, fans will be glued to the standings, and the knockout rounds promise end-to-end drama. And with Nottingham set to host some of Europe’s best, British hockey fans are in for a treat on home ice.

So, whether you’re following the Challenge Cup’s reimagined race or the Continental Cup’s international showdowns, one thing’s for sure: this season is not to be missed. Grab your jerseys, mark your calendars, and get ready.

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