HC Eppan aims to make a strong showing in the new season. © Jan Marc Zublasing

New season: 11 teams and one change

The new IHL season is fast approaching. With the release of the schedule, the format of the Italian Hockey League is now also known. The biggest changes concern the Italian Cup.

September 04, 2026

From: dl

The new IHL season begins on Saturday, September 19th, and will feature eleven teams. From a South Tyrolean perspective, SV Kaltern, HC Eppan, and HCP Junior will be participating. Brixen Falcons and HC 3 Zinnen Dolomites, however, have withdrawn.

Kaltern can make history and become the first team to win the IHL three times in a row. But local rival Eppan, after an interesting transfer window, is also a force to be reckoned with. The league newcomer from Bruneck, the little brother of HC Pustertal, faces a new challenge – without last year's championship-winning coach, Max Oberrauch.

There are no changes to the format of the upcoming season. The regular season ends on January 9, 2027. One team has a bye each matchday. Over a total of 22 matchdays, all teams will play each other once at home and once away. Afterward, the second phase—the Master and Qualification Rounds—begins. Teams carry over their points, which are divided by three and then rounded down.

New format in the Italian Cup

While the IHL retains last season's format, the Italian Cup will be completely redesigned for 2026/27. Kaltern will again enter the competition as defending champions, having prevailed in the Final Four in Milan in January. The upcoming edition of the Italian Cup will be played over three rounds: the Round of 16, the Quarterfinals, and the Final Four.

The seeding was based on last season's rankings. Kaltern, Aosta, Varese, Pergine, and Eppan will enter the competition in the quarterfinals. In the round of 16, played on October 15th and 22nd, HCP Junior will face Alleghe. The quarterfinals will follow on November 12th and 19th. Afterward, the field for the Final Four will be determined. The semifinals will take place on Saturday, January 16th, with the final the following day.