Elite League (United Kingdom) 2026/27

The Elite Ice Hockey League is the top-tier professional ice hockey competition in the United Kingdom. It operates as a closed franchise system, meaning there is no promotion or relegation to the second-tier National Ice Hockey League. Membership is granted via application and board approval based on financial and infrastructure criteria.

The league features ten teams representing all four UK nations: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The regular season consists of 54 games per team in a round-robin format. This is followed by play-offs for the top eight teams to determine the British Champion. The Belfast Giants are the current champions following the 2025–26 season.

The competition was founded in 2003 by nine clubs who seceded from the financially collapsed Ice Hockey Superleague. These founding members included the Belfast Giants, Cardiff Devils, Coventry Blaze, Edinburgh Capitals, London Racers, Manchester Phoenix, Newcastle Vipers, Nottingham Panthers, and Sheffield Steelers. The league currently features 10 teams, having expanded since its inception.

Notable distinctions include its unique status as the only UK pro league with cross-border representation. The league also adopted NHL-style rules in 2006. It has had title sponsors such as bmibaby and Motorpoint. The Belfast Giants are the most successful club in the EIHL era with 8 titles. The Sheffield Steelers hold the record for most total major titles (21) across all eras of British senior ice hockey.