Elite League Tickets 2026-27: Dates, Teams and Arenas

Elite League tickets 2026-27 give you access to British ice hockey: 10 teams, 54 league games each and a season that opens on 12 September 2026. Here are the dates, the arenas, the champions and practical advice for buying from abroad.

Elite League Tickets 2026-27: Season Overview

The Elite League, the top level of British ice hockey, is a friendly and welcoming way to see a game. Arenas are small to mid-sized, crowds are loyal and the atmosphere is close to the ice. The league spans England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, so a hockey trip can also be a tour of the British Isles, with a game in Belfast, Cardiff, Glasgow or Sheffield.

The 2026-27 season has the same ten clubs as 2025-26. Cardiff Devils are the 2026 playoff champions, winning their fourth title. Belfast Giants won the regular season, their eighth time, and Nottingham Panthers won the Challenge Cup, their ninth. That spread of winners shows how competitive the league is, and it means there is no single must-see team: any of the ten home crowds can give you a memorable night.

Elite League tickets 2026-27 at a glance

  • Teams: 10, the same as in 2025-26.
  • League games per team: 54, with each opponent met six times.
  • Season opens: 12 September 2026.
  • Competitions run until: 18 April 2027, including the Challenge Cup and playoffs.
  • Playoff champion 2026: Cardiff Devils, their fourth title.
  • Other winners: Belfast Giants (regular season), Nottingham Panthers (Challenge Cup).

Elite League Schedule 2026-27 and Key Dates

The season opens on 12 September 2026 and runs through to 18 April 2027, including the Challenge Cup and playoffs. In the league programme each team plays 54 games, meeting every opponent six times. That frequent repetition builds rivalries, so even a mid-table game can feel familiar and tense.

Elite League playoffs and Challenge Cup

The league has three prizes: the regular-season title, the Challenge Cup and the playoffs. Exact dates for the Challenge Cup rounds and the playoffs in 2026-27 have not been published in our data, so we will not guess them. The season is long, with games spread across autumn, winter and spring.

Elite League schedule: when to go

Autumn weekends are easy and comfortable. December can include busy festive fixtures, and spring is the best time for deciding games. Because the season finishes in mid-April, you can also catch playoff hockey in the early spring.

Elite League Arenas 2026-27: Where to Watch and Get Tickets

Elite League arenas include a handful of mid-sized buildings and several small ice halls. Sizes range from roughly 2,200 seats at Guildford to a major city arena in Manchester.

Elite League teams and arenas 2026-27

  • Belfast Giants (Belfast): The O2 Belfast, listed capacity 8,700.
  • Cardiff Devils (Cardiff): Vindico Arena (Ice Arena Wales), listed capacity 3,110.
  • Coventry Blaze (Coventry): Planet Ice Coventry (Skydome), listed capacity 3,000.
  • Dundee Stars (Dundee): Dundee Ice Arena, listed capacity 2,700.
  • Fife Flyers (Kirkcaldy): Fife Ice Arena, listed capacity 3,525.
  • Glasgow Clan (Glasgow (Braehead)): Braehead Arena, listed capacity 4,000.
  • Guildford Flames (Guildford): Guildford Spectrum, listed capacity 2,200.
  • Manchester Storm (Manchester): AO Arena (new home for 2026-27, moved from Planet Ice Altrincham).
  • Nottingham Panthers (Nottingham): Motorpoint Arena Nottingham, listed capacity 7,500.
  • Sheffield Steelers (Sheffield): Utilita Arena Sheffield, listed capacity 9,512.

Elite League biggest arenas

Belfast Giants play at The O2 Belfast, listed at about 8,700. Sheffield Steelers play at the Utilita Arena, around 9,500, and Nottingham Panthers at the Motorpoint Arena, around 7,500. Glasgow Clan play at Braehead Arena, around 4,000.

Manchester's move

Manchester Storm move to the AO Arena for 2026-27, from Planet Ice Altrincham. The AO Arena is a large city venue, with a full capacity of around 21,000 that will not be used for hockey, so the actual ice-hockey configuration will be smaller.

Elite League smaller rinks

Cardiff's Vindico Arena lists about 3,100, Coventry about 3,000, Fife about 3,500, Dundee about 2,700 and Guildford about 2,200. These small rinks are where the sound feels biggest, but tickets for derbies sell out quickly.

How to Buy Elite League Tickets 2026-27

Clubs sell tickets through their official web shops, and most offer English-language pages by default. Season tickets go first, then single-game tickets. Big rivalries and games involving the best-supported clubs usually sell out earlier, so buy as soon as the date is confirmed.

Buying Elite League tickets from abroad

  • Check the fixture list on the club's official page.
  • Use the official web shop and select your seat or standing section.
  • Prefer mobile or print-at-home delivery.
  • Keep your order confirmation and arrive early for entry.

Resale and sold-out games

If a game is sold out, resale marketplaces may offer places, but read the transfer and cancellation rules. Our email alert is designed to tell you when official sales open so you can avoid the resale route.

Elite League Game Day Guide: Travel, Atmosphere and Tickets

Great Britain and Northern Ireland are easy to reach from Europe and North America. Rail links connect Sheffield, Nottingham, Manchester, Glasgow and Cardiff, while Belfast is reachable by air and ferry. Check current entry requirements for your nationality before travelling.

Elite League atmosphere

Expect chants, drums and a friendly crowd, with pre-game bars and pubs near many arenas. Food and drinks are normally sold in the arena, and many fans wear club shirts. Children and families are common.

Combining Elite League tickets with sightseeing

Glasgow and Dundee pair with Scotland's lochs and castles, Cardiff with Welsh coast and castles, Sheffield and Nottingham with Northern England and Midlands trips, and Belfast with the Causeway Coast. Plan around the weekday and weekend fixtures.

Elite League Tickets 2026-27: What Is Not Announced Yet

Not announced or confirmed in our data: exact Challenge Cup and playoff dates, many kick-off times and ticket sale windows. Arena capacities are listed from public sources and are approximate. Prices are not published here.

Elite League tickets 2026-27: stay informed

Sign up for the alert and we will write when sales open, when fixtures change or when playoff dates are published.

Elite League · Teams

FAQ · Elite League Tickets 2026-27: Dates, Teams and Arenas

When does the Elite League season 2026-27 start?

The Elite League season opens on 12 September 2026 and runs through to 18 April 2027, including the Challenge Cup and playoffs. Each of the 10 teams plays 54 league games, meeting every opponent six times. Our email alert will tell you when anything changes, so you do not need to check every club site.

Who are the defending champions in Elite League tickets 2026-27?

Cardiff Devils won the 2026 playoffs, their fourth title. Belfast Giants were the regular-season champions and Nottingham Panthers won the Challenge Cup. All ten clubs from 2025-26 return for the new season. Always confirm details on the official box office before you book travel or accommodation.

Where do Manchester Storm play in the Elite League in 2026-27?

Manchester Storm have moved to the AO Arena for 2026-27, away from Planet Ice Altrincham. The arena is a large city venue, but the ice-hockey configuration will be smaller than its full capacity of around 21,000. We only publish confirmed information here and will update this page as soon as more is announced.

How do I buy Elite League tickets from abroad?

Use the home club's official web shop. Most offer English pages by default. Choose your game, select a seat or standing area, and keep your ticket on your phone. Our email alert tells you when sales open. Our email alert will tell you when anything changes, so you do not need to check every club site.

Which are the biggest Elite League arenas for tickets 2026-27?

Sheffield's Utilita Arena, around 9,500, and Belfast's The O2, around 8,700, are the largest dedicated hockey homes. Nottingham's Motorpoint Arena is around 7,500. Several rinks hold only 2,200 to 3,500 fans. Always confirm details on the official box office before you book travel or accommodation.

Can I see two Elite League games in a weekend?

Yes. Sheffield and Nottingham are close, and Glasgow and Dundee are also easily connected by rail. Check both clubs' fixtures once published and buy each game's ticket through its official web shop. We only publish confirmed information here and will update this page as soon as more is announced.