KHL (Russia) 2026/27

The Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) operates as the premier professional ice hockey competition in the region, established in 2008 as an independent commercial entity. It sits at the apex of the Russian hockey pyramid, positioned above the All-Russian Hockey League (VHL). The league features a transnational structure with 22 teams, including 19 from Russia, one from Belarus, one from Kazakhstan, and one from China. This composition distinguishes it from domestic competitions, as membership is determined by administrative and financial criteria rather than formal promotion or relegation systems. The season format involves a 68-game regular season split into Western and Eastern Conferences. Each conference contains two divisions: the Bobrov and Tarasov in the West, and the Kharlamov and Chernyshev in the East. Clubs such as Amur Khabarovsk, Avangard Omsk, and Barys Astana compete within this framework. The regular season concludes with the top 16 teams advancing to the Gagarin Cup playoffs. These post-season matches are played as best-of-seven series, culminating in the crowning of the league champion. Lokomotiv Yaroslavl holds the title as the current reigning champion, having secured victories in both the 2024-25 and 2025-26 campaigns. Historically, Ak Bars Kazan, CSKA Moscow, and Metallurg Magnitogorsk are recognised as the most successful clubs, each having won the title three times. The league enforces a strict hard salary cap, a governance model that mirrors the National Hockey League (NHL). This independent structure separates the KHL from the Russian Ice Hockey Federation (FHR) and its predecessor, the Russian Superleague. Alexander Medvedev served as the first president, while Vyacheslav Fetisov chaired the board during the foundational period. The competition remains distinct due to its international scope and commercial independence.