EIHL Challenge Cup Tickets 2026-27 - EIHL Challenge Cup Events, Games & Schedule

Challenge Cup Schedule

The Challenge Cup starts in September around the same time as the EIHL regular season. The group stage runs through late November. After this, the knockout stages will take place with the semifinals. The final is due to take place in March.

All 10 of the EIHL teams play in the Challenge Cup group stages and they are sorted into 2 groups, one containing 6 teams and the other containing 4. In the first group, each team will play the other teams in their group once at home and once away. In the other group, each team will play the other 3 teams in their group twice at home and twice away. Group winners and the runner-up of the first group will advance directly to the semifinals as seeds. The runner-up in the second group will play the third-place team in the first group in a "play-in" round to decide the final place in the semifinals.

From then, the teams get whittled down until only 2 remain to contest the final.

Challenge Cup Tickets

As is the case for EIHL regular season games, tickets for Challenge Cup games will vary between event venues and events, as it is usually up to the hosting team of each game to decide upon a price range. Each team’s official prices tend to be set at the beginning of the season and remain at a similar bracket throughout. Prices will vary depending on the seating option at the stadium: tickets looking across centre ice will be more expensive than those for seats in the end stands behind the goals or those in higher tiers further from the action.

About Challenge Cup

The Challenge Cup – hosted annually by the Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL) – is a cup competition for ice hockey clubs within the elite league in the United Kingdom. It is 1 of 3 competitions run each season by the Elite League, the others being the league championship and the playoff championship.

📜 Challenge Cup History

Prior to the formation of the Elite League in 2003, the Challenge Cup was organised by the Ice Hockey Superleague.

The Challenge Cup has taken a number of different formats, ranging from a table formed from the results of designated league fixtures to groups of 4 teams playing on a round-robin basis at the beginning of the season. The semifinals and final are one-off games, the winner being the team with the highest aggregate score at the end of the second game.

💯 Challenge Cup Format & Scoring

The Challenge Cup is a cup competition for ice hockey clubs in the elite league (Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL)) in the United Kingdom. It is 1 of 3 competitions run each season by the Elite League alongside the league championship and the playoff championship. The stages of the competition are:

1. Group Stage - all 10 of the EIHL teams play in the Challenge Cup group stages and they are sorted into 2 groups, one containing 6 teams and the other containing 4. In the first group, each team will play the other teams in their group once at home and once away. In the other group, each team will play the other 3 teams in their group twice at home and twice away.

2. Semifinals - group winners and the runner-up of Group A will advance directly to the semifinals as seeds. The runner-up in Group B will play the third-place team in Group A in a "play-in" round to decide the final place in the semifinals

3. Final - the Challenge Cup Final will be played as a one-off event in March

Challenge Cup FAQ

How can I find parking for a Challenge Cup game?

Some rinks for EIHL (and therefore Challenge Cup) teams have parking spaces available in the vicinity of the arena, while some recommend the use of public transport. Parking details and further travel information can be found on Koobit by clicking the event’s Travel & Parking tab.

How can I find accommodation for a Challenge Cup game?

Most of the 10 teams are based in major urban areas around the United Kingdom, so it is usually straightforward to find accommodation close to the venue. Accommodation and tourism information for each location can be found on Koobit by clicking the event’s Accommodation and Destination tabs, where you will also find a map of places to stay.

Mags

01 Oct 2023

EIHL Challenge Cup Nottingham Panthers v Sheffield Steelers, National Ice Centre

First time at a game but will definitely be back 🙌

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