Story Summary
The NIHF board has decided that the EliteHockey Ligaen (EHL) 2026/27 season will be played as a 40-game regular season for each club. The existing match pattern will largely remain, but Sparta’s fixtures have been removed and a small adjustment will ensure every team plays 20 home games and 20 away games. Because the EHL will have nine clubs in 2026/27, there will be no relegation: the club finishing ninth after the regular season will retain its place in the EHL for 2027/28, while the winner of the HockeyLiga 1 playoff will be promoted.
The decision followed consideration of several alternatives, including a 48-game format. Petter Salsten, NIHF general secretary, said the choice of 40 games came after a difficult assessment with less than 48 hours until the season start. The federation also cited practical and financial uncertainty around a longer calendar, including challenges for Storhamar‘s Champions Hockey League participation. A majority of clubs preferred the 40-game solution. NIHF will publish the adjusted match schedule once it is finalised.
Key Facts
- The NIHF board today approved a 40-game regular season for EHL 2026/27, with each club to play 40 league matches.
- The current match pattern will largely continue, but Sparta’s matches are removed from the schedule.
- All teams will play 20 home games and 20 away games after a minor adjustment to the fixture list.
- EHL will consist of nine clubs in 2026/27; therefore, no team will be relegated at season end.
- The club finishing ninth in the table will keep its place in the EHL for 2027/28; the winner of the HockeyLiga 1 playoff will be promoted.
- NIHF considered a 48-game alternative but rejected it because of practical and economic uncertainties.
- A 48-game series would have required eight additional playing days per club and posed problems with limited ice availability and other fixed calendars.
- NIHF highlighted significant challenges for Storhamar’s Champions Hockey League (CHL) participation if a 48-game schedule with eight extra matchdays were implemented.
- Compensation schemes for additional matches were discussed in the process but the scope and funding of any such schemes were unresolved.
- Petter Salsten, Generalsekretær in NIHF, said the decision followed a difficult assessment with less than 48 hours until the season start.
- A majority of clubs favoured the 40-game option.
- NIHF will send out further information when the adjusted match schedule is ready.
IHM Discussion
The NIHF has chosen a shorter, more financially manageable season rather than expand the calendar amid uncertainty over costs and practical delivery. A 48-game format would have required eight additional playing days per club, while limited ice availability and fixed schedules in other competitions added to the pressure ahead of the season start.
The federation also pointed to the importance of club finances following the Sparta case and said an expanded EHL schedule should not make the competition more expensive to run without confidence in clubs’ financial sustainability. Storhamar’s Champions Hockey League programme was another significant complication under a 48-game model.
The revised format retains a balanced 20 home games and 20 away games for every club. Sparta’s fixtures will be removed, with NIHF to issue the adjusted schedule when it is ready.
Why It Matters
The decision puts financial stability ahead of a longer regular season. NIHF cited uncertainty over the practical and economic consequences of adding games, while proposed compensation arrangements had not been defined or funded.
With nine clubs in the EHL, the team finishing ninth will retain its place for 2027/28, while the HockeyLiga 1 playoff winner will still be promoted. The 20-home, 20-away split also gives every club the same number of home dates in the revised schedule.
For Storhamar, avoiding the additional eight matchdays removes a major scheduling concern alongside Champions Hockey League commitments.
Mini Q&A
How many regular-season games will each EHL club play in 2026/27?
Each club will play 40 regular-season games: 20 at home and 20 away.
Why did the NIHF reject a 48-game season?
The NIHF rejected 48 games because of practical and economic uncertainties, including the need for eight extra playing days per club, limited ice availability, clashes with other fixed calendars and unresolved compensation funding. The federation also cited specific complications for Storhamar’s Champions Hockey League participation.
Will any team be relegated from the EHL in 2026/27?
No. With nine clubs in the EHL for 2026/27, no team will be relegated; the club finishing ninth will remain in the league for 2027/28. Promotion from HockeyLiga 1 will continue via the playoff winner.
What happened to Sparta’s fixtures?
Sparta’s matches were removed from the current match pattern as part of the adjustments the NIHF announced.
When will the updated fixture list be released?
NIHF said it will send out further information and the adjusted schedule as soon as it is ready, but no specific date was given.
What Comes Next
NIHF will distribute the adjusted match schedule once the revised fixture list is ready. No specific release date has been given.
IHM Final View
The NIHF board has opted for a pragmatic 40-game EHL season in response to financial and scheduling uncertainty. The format preserves a balanced 20-home, 20-away split while avoiding the eight additional matchdays required by a 48-game calendar. With compensation arrangements still unresolved and Storhamar’s CHL programme among the scheduling concerns, the federation has prioritised a workable season structure.