Swiss League (Switzerland) 2026/27

The Swiss League is the second-tier professional ice hockey competition in Switzerland. The league operates directly below the National League and is governed by Swiss Ice Hockey (SIHF). It began in 1947 as the Nationalliga B before adopting its current name, Sky Swiss League, in 2024.

The structure relies on a rigorous regular season where teams play each other five times. In the 2024–25 campaign, this resulted in 45 games per side. The top eight sides advance to the playoffs, which use best-of-seven series. EHC Visp claimed the 2024–25 title by defeating EHC Basel in the final. Despite winning the league, Visp did not secure promotion because it lost the Ligaquali series against HC Ajoie, the National League’s tenth-placed team.

A defining feature of the league is the restriction placed on farm teams. Clubs majority-owned by National League sides, such as the GCK Lions, are permanently barred from promotion to the top flight. This rule creates a dual system where independent clubs fight for the promotion spot while farm teams focus solely on player development. The champion faces the loser of the National League playouts in a best-of-seven series to determine if they will move up or stay down.

Historical success is shared among several clubs. EHC Biel and SC Langnau Tigers hold the record for most titles, with five each. HC La Chaux-de-Fonds has won three times, while SC Rapperswil-Jona Lakers have two. Relegation from the Swiss League to the MyHockey League is decided by the loser of the promotion series, though licensing decisions can override this outcome.