Story Summary
The 2026-27 Champions Hockey League (CHL) season opens on 3 September 2026 and runs through to the final on 23 February 2027. The competition features 24 clubs from 11 leagues. Finland’s representatives are Tappara, KooKoo and SaiPa. The CHL’s overall prize pool has risen to €3.2 million from €2.54 million last season; each participating club receives €90,000, up €10,000, while payments for reaching the knockout rounds from the first round through to the semi-finals have doubled to €30,000. The tournament follows the familiar format of an opening phase and two-legged knockout rounds, with a single-game final. Liiga clubs will face SHL opposition during the opening phase.
Key Facts
- CHL 2026-27 begins on 3 September 2026 and concludes with the final on 23 February 2027.
- Total number of participating teams: 24 from 11 different leagues.
- Finland’s participants (Liiga): Tappara, KooKoo and SaiPa.
- SHL teams involved (four clubs): Frölunda HC, Skellefteå AIK, Växjö Lakers and Rögle BK.
- Overall CHL prize pool increased to €3.2 million from €2.54 million last season.
- Every participating club receives €90,000, an increase of €10,000 from last season.
- Teams qualifying from the first knockout round through the semi-finals receive €30,000 each, double the previous season’s amount.
- Final payouts remain unchanged; the away team in the final receives an additional €50,000.
- The CHL schedule comprises 101 matches across September – February.
- Group stage (regular season) ends on 14 October 2026.
- Knockout phase begins on 10 November 2026; quarterfinalists are determined by 18 November 2026.
- Play-off ties before the final are two-legged and decided on aggregate goals, with no away-goal rule. Tied aggregates go to a 10-minute 3-on-3 overtime and, if required, a shootout. The final uses 20-minute 3-on-3 sudden-death overtime if tied after regulation and is hosted by the higher-ranked team from the opening phase.
IHM Discussion
The CHL’s increased prize pot is the clearest structural change this season. Raising the overall fund to €3.2 million and increasing the guaranteed participation payment to €90,000 improves the baseline reward for continental participation. The most notable adjustment is the doubling of payments for reaching the knockout rounds from the first round through to the semi-finals, making each step more lucrative. For Liiga clubs, the combination of stronger financial incentives and a familiar competition format makes CHL involvement an important part of the autumn schedule. On the ice, Finnish sides will face SHL opposition, including Frölunda, Växjö and Rögle, in the opening phase.
Why It Matters
The higher payments for participation and knockout progression increase the financial incentive attached to the competition. Sportingly, Liiga sides will face SHL opponents including Frölunda, Växjö and Rögle during the opening phase, providing an early cross-border test. For Tappara, KooKoo and SaiPa, the CHL offers fixtures against established European clubs alongside their domestic schedules.
Mini Q&A
When does the 2026-27 CHL season begin and end?
The CHL season starts on 3 September 2026 and concludes with the final on 23 February 2027.
How many teams take part and how many come from Liiga?
There are 24 teams in total; three of them represent Finland’s Liiga: Tappara, KooKoo and SaiPa.
How much is the CHL prize pool for 2026-27 and how does it compare to last season?
The prize pool is €3.2 million, up from €2.54 million in the previous season.
What are the changes to team payments this season?
Each participating club receives €90,000 (an increase of €10,000). Teams that qualify through knockout phases from the first round to the semi-finals receive €30,000 for those achievements, which is double the amount paid last season.
Which SHL teams will Liiga clubs face during the opening phase?
Tappara face Växjö Lakers and Rögle BK, while KooKoo and SaiPa both play Frölunda HC.
How many matches does the CHL schedule include?
The competition schedule comprises 101 matches across the season.
What Comes Next
Key schedule checkpoints set out by the CHL: the group stage finishes on 14 October 2026; the knockout phase begins on 10 November 2026; the quarterfinalists will be determined by 18 November 2026; last two-legged quarterfinals are played by 15 December 2026; semi-finals are scheduled for 12-20 January 2027; and the final is set for 23 February 2027.
IHM Final View
The CHL’s financial uplift improves the competition’s incentives without altering its format. For Liiga clubs, the immediate task is to balance domestic commitments with European fixtures that include SHL opposition. The increased payments for knockout progression add further value to advancing through the autumn schedule.