A crowd of 8,673 packed the Utilita Arena in Sheffield on 12 April 2026 to see the Steelers beat Guildford 5-1 in the playoffs. Nights like that make the best case for ice hockey in Britain. So this guide covers the Elite League teams, the rules and the ways to watch. If you follow football in the colder months too, this Scottish football winter guide shows how the two calendars overlap.
The 2026-27 season is the 23rd for the Elite League, and it runs from 12 September 2026 to 18 April 2027. Ten clubs from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland take part. Even so, plenty of newcomers don’t know where to start. Here’s a plain-English route into the Elite League.
How the Elite League season works
The league runs three competitions each year: the Challenge Cup, the league title and the playoffs. In the Challenge Cup, the five English clubs and Cardiff form Group A and play each other twice. The three Scottish clubs and Belfast make up Group B. After that, the league programme begins, and it’s the long haul of the season.
Last season’s Challenge Cup went to Nottingham Panthers, who won it for a ninth time, with Coventry Blaze as runners-up. The cup opens the campaign in September, so it sets the tone early. It also gives smaller clubs a real shot at silverware. That’s a big reason the Elite League keeps its fans guessing.
Every team plays 54 league games, meeting each of the other nine clubs six times. Three of those meetings are at home and three are away. Because of that, luck evens out and the table rarely lies. The top teams then move into the playoffs, where a short series can flip the order completely.
The ten Elite League teams
Ten clubs make up the league, and each has its own character. Here’s a quick guide, using the details available for 2026-27:
- Belfast Giants: play at The O2 (capacity 8,700) and are the defending league champions. Jason Ellery is the head coach.
- Cardiff Devils: play at the Vindico Arena (capacity 3,250). They won last season’s playoffs for a fourth time.
- Coventry Blaze: play at Planet Ice Coventry (capacity 3,000) under head coach Kevin Moore.
- Dundee Stars: play at Dundee Ice Arena (capacity 2,700).
- Fife Flyers: are run by general manager and head coach Tim Wallace.
- Glasgow Clan: made last season’s playoff quarter-finals, where they met Belfast.
- Guildford Flames: also reached the quarter-finals, losing to Sheffield.
- Manchester Storm: complete the English contingent.
- Nottingham Panthers: play at the Motorpoint Arena (capacity 7,500) under head coach Danny Stewart. They hold the Challenge Cup.
- Sheffield Steelers: play at the Utilita Arena Sheffield (capacity 9,512), the biggest home in the league. Aaron Fox is general manager and head coach.
The clubs also differ in age. Nottingham Panthers date back to 1939, and Cardiff Devils to 1986. Belfast Giants and Coventry Blaze both started in 2000. That mix of old and new is part of why the Elite League feels so varied from rink to rink.
Last season’s winners and this season’s start
Last season, three different clubs took the three trophies. Belfast won the league, Nottingham claimed a ninth Challenge Cup, and Cardiff won the playoffs by beating Sheffield 5-2 in the final. Cardiff finished second in the league with 75 points, while Nottingham and Sheffield both had 72. That spread says a lot about how balanced the league has become.
The year before, Belfast topped the table with 80 points, followed by Sheffield on 77 and Nottingham on 74. Sheffield had won the 2023-24 league with 91 points, and Belfast led the 2022-23 table with 84. Now the new season is under way, and Sheffield are second on 11 points from eight games as of 1 November 2026. Belfast are third on 10 points from six. Since Belfast have played fewer games, they’re the side to watch.
Playoff winners over five seasons
The playoffs shuffle the pack more than the league table does. Cardiff won them in 2021-22, Belfast in 2022-23 and Sheffield in 2023-24. Nottingham took the 2024-25 title, and Cardiff won again in 2025-26. Four different clubs shared five trophies, so no Elite League fan can call a playoff final early.
Ice hockey rules in plain English
A match lasts 60 minutes, split into three 20-minute periods. Each team has five skaters and a goalkeeper on the ice. The goal is simple: put the puck in the other net more often than your opponent does. Because play stops and starts quickly, fans pick up the flow within a period or two.
Penalties are where games change. A minor penalty sends a player to the box for two minutes, and his team plays a skater down. Meanwhile, the other side gets a power play and a real chance to score. Icing and offside also stop play, so you’ll hear the whistle often.
Level games after 60 minutes go to overtime, and a shootout can settle it. The points system rewards that drama. A win is worth two points, even if it comes in overtime or a shootout. A loss in overtime or a shootout earns one point, while a regulation loss earns none.
How to follow the Elite League as a newcomer
Pick a team first, because loyalty makes everything easier. A local club gives you a rink to visit and a table to follow. Then watch the power plays, since goals often arrive in those two-minute windows. That’s an opinion, not a rule, but it works for most new fans.
Playoff nights also give a feel for the atmosphere. Glasgow Clan lost 1-0 at Belfast in front of 7,298 on 11 April 2026. They won 3-1 in a shootout at home the next day, with 3,448 watching. Those two games showed how different the rinks feel. Even so, both crowds were loud for the full 60 minutes.
Arrive early if you can, because the warm-ups give you a first look at both line-ups. Check the home club’s website before you travel for ticket details and arena rules. Then pick a spot where you can see the whole ice. Newcomers often enjoy the first period most, since everything is new and the pace never really drops.
Where to watch Elite League games
Going to the rink is still the best option. The arenas range from 2,700 seats in Dundee to 9,512 in Sheffield, so the atmosphere changes from town to town. Fans who travel to away rinks face the same winter hurdles as football supporters, and this football away days survival guide covers the planning side.
Broadcast deals change from year to year. Premier Sports showed live Elite League games in the early 2020s, when it was headline sponsor. The league’s name now carries a different sponsor. So check eliteleague.co.uk for current standings, fixtures and live or streamed games. It’s the safest way to avoid an outdated listing.
Why the Elite League playoffs matter
A strong regular season earns a playoff place, but it doesn’t guarantee a trophy. Cardiff finished second in the 2025-26 league and still won the playoffs, which tells you plenty. Meanwhile, Belfast won the league title and didn’t lift the playoff trophy. For fans, that means every game in April counts, and every rink can host a decider.
Dominant clubs in British winter sport
Elite League hockey has its own pecking order, with Belfast, Cardiff, Nottingham and Sheffield sharing most of the recent silverware. Yet no single club owns the sport, and that’s what keeps the playoffs lively. Other winter sports have powerhouses too. Rugby league’s two best-known names are the subject of this look at why Wigan and St Helens dominate Super League.
Key takeaways
- Season dates: The 2026-27 Elite League season runs from 12 September 2026 to 18 April 2027.
- Format: Ten clubs play 54 league games each, meeting every rival six times.
- Last season: Belfast won the league, Nottingham took the Challenge Cup and Cardiff won the playoffs.
- Early table: Sheffield are second with 11 points from eight games as of 1 November 2026.
- Points: Wins are worth two points, and an overtime or shootout loss earns one.
Frequently asked questions
How many teams are in the Elite League?
Ten clubs play in the Elite League, from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
How many games does each team play?
Each club plays 54 league games, facing every other team six times.
How many points is a win worth?
A win is worth two points, including wins in overtime or a shootout.
Which arena is the biggest in the league?
The Utilita Arena Sheffield is the biggest, with a capacity of 9,512.
Who won the Elite League last season?
Belfast Giants won the league title, while Cardiff Devils won the playoffs.
Conclusion
The Elite League offers fast games, loud rinks and a title race that rarely stays predictable. With three trophies shared among three clubs last season, nobody can relax. For anyone curious about ice hockey in Britain, the opening months already show how tight the Elite League race can get.
