New Challenge Cup format agreed – Sheffield Steelers

5 Home Game Round Robin and straight into the semi-finals

The new Challenge Cup format for 2024/25

The Elite Ice Hockey League is delighted to confirm a new format for the 2024/25 Challenge Cup, agreed by its 10 teams, as planning for the new season begins.

In the new format, 10 teams will compete in two groups for places in the semi-finals.

“The biggest feedback for improvement in the 2022 Fan Survey was that we needed to address the Challenge Cup format, a topic that teams wanted to address. It was something we looked at throughout this season,” said chief operating officer Mike Hicks.

“We needed to find a solution that worked for all 10 teams as equal stakeholders, not just benefiting a few, and we are delighted that the teams have come together to agree a new format for next season.

“This format gives us a solution that works for all teams, while improving the sporting integrity of the competition, with teams now fighting for four semi-final places, which we hope will create more excitement in the round-robin stage. “

Group phase

Group A: Cardiff Devils, Coventry Blaze, Guildford Flames, Manchester Storm, Nottingham Panthers, Sheffield Steelers

Group B: Belfast Giants, Dundee Stars, Fife Flyers, Glasgow Clan

The teams in group A will play once at home and once away. The teams in Group B will play on a two-on-one home and away basis.

Straight to the semi-finals

Teams will play for four places in the semi-finals – there will be no quarter-finals.

The winners of Group A and B, as well as the runners-up of Group A, will go straight into the semi-finals.

The third-placed team from Group B will face the third-placed team from Group A in a special play-in round to decide the final place in the semi-finals. This will be a one-off match, played at the home arena of the team with the higher percentage of points in the group stage.

Whichever of the two group winners enter the semi-finals with the best points percentage from the group stage will be given the opportunity to choose their semi-final opponents (excluding the other group winners).