Story Summary
The Champions Hockey League’s 2026/27 playoff field is nearing completion after the penultimate regular-season round, with 12 of the 16 Round of 16 places now secured.
Skellefteå AIK, Kölner Haie and HC Pilsen were the first sides to qualify at the end of the September schedule. HC Pilsen lead the current regular-season standings. Finnish club SaiPa Lappeenranta subsequently joined the qualified teams, along with eight further sides.
That leaves four knockout places unresolved before next week’s final regular-season round. The Round of 16 will contain 16 teams.
Key Facts
- Twelve of the 16 available Round of 16 places have been secured in the 2026/27 Champions Hockey League.
- Skellefteå AIK, Kölner Haie and HC Pilsen were the first teams to qualify, doing so at the end of the September portion of the schedule.
- HC Pilsen are the current leaders of the Champions Hockey League regular-season standings.
- SaiPa Lappeenranta have also secured a playoff place.
- Four places remain open ahead of the final regular-season round next week.
IHM Discussion
The final regular-season round now carries a clear qualification threshold: four places remain in the knockout stage. For the clubs already through, the immediate uncertainty over reaching the Round of 16 has been removed. For those still outside the confirmed group, the last round will settle the remaining positions in the 16-team field.
HC Pilsen’s early qualification is accompanied by their place at the top of the current standings, while Skellefteå AIK and Kölner Haie were alongside them as the first three sides to book their places. SaiPa Lappeenranta’s qualification adds Finnish representation to the confirmed group.
The competition has therefore moved from establishing the first qualifiers to deciding the final four berths. The supplied update confirms that the race remains active rather than complete.
Why It Matters
Qualification for the Round of 16 is the key dividing line in the Champions Hockey League regular season. With only four positions left, the final round will complete the knockout bracket and determine which clubs remain in the competition beyond the league phase.
Mini Q&A
How many teams have qualified for the Champions Hockey League Round of 16?
Twelve teams have secured their places, leaving four of the 16 knockout berths open.
Which teams were the first to qualify?
Skellefteå AIK, Kölner Haie and HC Pilsen were the first three teams to qualify at the end of the September schedule.
Who leads the current regular-season standings?
HC Pilsen lead the current Champions Hockey League regular-season standings.
What Comes Next
The final Champions Hockey League regular-season round takes place next week and will decide the remaining four Round of 16 places.