Story Summary
The PENNY DEL 2026/27 season opens with title-holder Eisbären Berlin hosting the Straubing Tigers on Thursday 17 September (19:30 CET), a fixture that carries extra weight after the recent playoff battles between the clubs. Berlin will raise the banner for their 13th championship before puck drop and can become the first club in DEL history to win four consecutive titles. The season will play out under the shadow of the 2027 IIHF World Championship, hosted in Mannheim and Düsseldorf, with players aiming to impress new Germany head coach André Rankel. Newly promoted Krefeld Pinguine return to the top flight and will welcome Fischtown Pinguine Bremerhaven to the Yayla-Arena for their home opener on the first weekend, while Kölner Haie captain Moritz Müller needs 18 games to overtake Mirko Lüdemann’s DEL appearance record of 1,200 games and could reach the mark as early as 20 November in Munich.
Key Facts
- Eisbären Berlin open the season against the Straubing Tigers on Thursday 17 September at 19:30 CET.
- The Eisbären will raise the banner for their 13th DEL championship before the opening match.
- Eisbären Berlin can become the first DEL club to win four titles in a row in the upcoming season.
- The season opener will be shown live and free on MagentaSport and Magenta TV; all other season matches will also be live on MagentaSport.
- The 2027 IIHF World Championship will be hosted in Mannheim and Düsseldorf; Germany begin their tournament campaign on 13 May 2027 at Schalke against Switzerland in front of more than 60,000 spectators.
- New German national coach André Rankel is expected to attend the PENNY DEL season opener as a spectator.
- Krefeld Pinguine return to the PENNY DEL as promoted club more than four years after relegation and were German champions in 2003.
- Krefeld’s home opener is scheduled for the first weekend of the season at the Yayla-Arena against Fischtown Pinguine Bremerhaven, Thomas Popiesch’s long-time club.
- Krefeld have already sold more than 3,000 season tickets and expect a near sell-out for their home opener.
- Kölner Haie captain Moritz Müller needs 18 more DEL games to surpass Mirko Lüdemann’s record of 1,200 DEL appearances and could reach the new mark earliest on 20 November in an away game at Red Bull München.
- Kölner Haie drew 18,104 spectators before the season to set a Champions Hockey League attendance record.
IHM Discussion
The 2026/27 PENNY DEL season carries added national significance as German players seek to impress new national coach André Rankel ahead of the 2027 home World Championship. For Eisbären Berlin, the early-season spotlight is twofold. Raising their 13th title banner is a ceremonial high point, while the prospect of a fourth straight championship gives opponents a clear target. Straubing’s status as a difficult playoff opponent in each of the past two years adds immediate competitive edge to the opener.
Krefeld’s return is another major storyline. Promotion restores the 2003 German champions to the top flight and has already generated substantial local demand: more than 3,000 season tickets have been sold and the home opener is close to selling out. Their first opponent, Bremerhaven, adds a personal link through Thomas Popiesch’s long association with the club.
The Kölner Haie captain needs 18 more DEL games to move beyond Lüdemann’s 1,200 appearances.
Why It Matters
The home World Championship gives German players an added incentive throughout the DEL campaign as they compete for places in André Rankel’s squad. Eisbären Berlin also have the chance to make league history by becoming the first club to win four consecutive DEL titles. Krefeld’s return to the top flight and Moritz Müller’s record chase add further storylines to a season that runs until a German champion is confirmed by 30 April 2027 at the latest.
Mini Q&A
When and who plays the PENNY DEL season opener?
Eisbären Berlin host the Straubing Tigers on Thursday 17 September at 19:30 CET.
Can any team make DEL history this season?
Yes. Eisbären Berlin can become the first club in DEL history to win four consecutive championships.
How is the 2027 World Championship affecting the DEL season?
The 2027 World Championship, hosted in Mannheim and Düsseldorf, will put a spotlight on DEL players hoping to earn places in André Rankel’s Germany squad; the national team opens the tournament on 13 May 2027 at Schalke against Switzerland.
Which club has returned to the PENNY DEL this season?
Krefeld Pinguine return to the PENNY DEL as promoted club, more than four years after their relegation.
What milestone is Moritz Müller chasing?
Kölner Haie captain Moritz Müller needs 18 more DEL games to surpass Mirko Lüdemann’s record of 1,200 appearances and could reach the new mark earliest on 20 November in Munich.
Where will fans be able to watch the DEL matches?
The season opener will be shown live and free on MagentaSport and Magenta TV. All other season matches will also be live on MagentaSport.
IHM Final View
This PENNY DEL season will be watched with an intensity that exceeds a normal campaign. The dual storylines of domestic title ambitions – with Eisbären Berlin aiming for a fourth straight championship – and the selection process for a home World Championship make the coming months a crucial proving ground for players and clubs alike. Krefeld’s return and Moritz Müller’s record chase provide additional human-interest threads that will keep supporters engaged from opening puck drop to the spring finale.