Erste Liga (Hungary) 2026/27

The Erste Liga operates as a binational ice hockey competition that serves as the de facto top tier for both Hungary and Romania. Founded in 2008 by the Hungarian Ice Hockey Federation (MJSZ) and the Romanian Ice Hockey Federation (FRHG), the league began with the Hungarian energy company MOL as its founding naming sponsor. The competition underwent a name change in 2017 following a sponsorship agreement with Erste Bank Hungary.

Unlike standard domestic structures, this league allows clubs from two nations to compete in a single top-level table. The current setup features 9 clubs, including six from Hungary such as Budapest Jégkorong Akadémia, DEAC, Dunaújvárosi Acélbikák, DVTK Jegesmedvék, FEHA19, and Újpesti TE, alongside three Romanian sides: Corona Brașov, Gyergyói HK, and SC Csíkszereda. The season format involves a double round-robin regular season followed by best-of-seven play-off series for the highest-placed teams.

A distinctive feature of the Erste Liga is its cross-border structure, which eliminates formal promotion or relegation between the league and the domestic leagues, known as the OB I Bajnokság in Hungary and the Liga Națională in Romania. Instead, domestic titles are derived from subsets of this international competition. Results of matches between Hungarian teams within the Erste Liga determine the Hungarian National Champion, while matches between Romanian teams determine the Romanian National Champion.

HSC Csíkszereda holds the record for the most successful club in the league's history with four titles, including victories in the 2010–11, 2019–20 (shared), 2020–21, and 2021–22 seasons. The current champion is Gyergyói HK, having won the 2025–26 season. This unique arrangement ensures that the highest level of play for both countries remains integrated within a single competitive framework.