Kazakhstan Cup 2026/27

The **Kazakhstan Cup** stands as the primary national knockout ice hockey competition in the country. Organized by the Qazaqstan Hokeı Federasıasy, the tournament operates distinctly from the main league pyramid known as the Pro Hokei Ligasy. While the league serves as the top-tier professional circuit, the Cup remains a separate domestic event for Kazakh clubs.

The competition carries a relatively short history compared to older sporting traditions, having been founded in 2002. Kazzinc-Torpedo claimed the inaugural title that year and has since secured four titles, establishing itself as a dominant force in the early years of the tournament. Saryarka Karaganda follows closely with three victories, while Arlan Kokshetau has won multiple recent editions, including the 2024 and 2025 competitions.

Unlike the VHL Cup, which recognises the best regular-season team in the Russian Supreme Hockey League, the Kazakhstan Cup is a dedicated knockout event. The format has shifted significantly over time, moving from short mid-season or end-of-season tournaments in April to group stages in September. In recent years, it has evolved into a pre-season fixture held in August and September. This structure features a group stage followed by knockout semi-finals and a final.

The tournament is open to clubs participating in the Pro Hokei Ligasy. Several teams, such as Aktobe, Almaty, and Beibarys Atyrau, compete in this space alongside those that also participate in the Russian Supreme Hockey League. There is no domestic promotion or relegation system linked directly to the Cup, as the Pro Hokei Ligasy operates as a single top-tier professional league without a subordinate domestic division. The current iteration involves ten teams, cementing the Cup's role as a key pre-season fixture for these clubs.