Ice Hockey UK: Leagues, Teams and How to Start Playing

Ice hockey UK has a loyal following and packed weekend arenas. Its league pyramid runs from the professional Elite League down to local amateur clubs. If you only know the sport from the Winter Olympics, the domestic game will surprise you. This guide explains how ice hockey UK works. It covers the leagues, the teams and the season. It also shows how you can watch a game or learn to play.

Start with the basics. Two teams of six players take the ice, and each side has one goalkeeper. They play three periods of 20 minutes. Players use sticks to shoot a puck into the other team’s goal. The team with the most goals wins. Fast skating, hard hits and quick passing give the sport its pace. Most games finish in about two hours.

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How ice hockey UK fits together

Ice hockey UK runs on a pyramid. The Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL) sits at the top as the only fully professional league in the country. The National Ice Hockey League (NIHL) sits below it, and the Scottish National League covers the clubs in Scotland. England Ice Hockey runs the NIHL, while Ice Hockey UK looks after the national teams. Together, these bodies keep the sport running from September to April each year.

Most league games take place on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings. Clubs play each other several times across the season, and the best teams then meet in end-of-season playoffs. The EIHL also runs a Challenge Cup alongside the league. As a result, teams chase three trophies each year: the league title, the cup and the playoff crown. For fixtures, results and team news, the Elite League’s official site has the full picture.

The Elite League: the top of ice hockey UK

The EIHL began in 2003, and it now brings together 10 teams from across the UK. The league has 10 clubs: Belfast Giants, Cardiff Devils, Coventry Blaze, Dundee Stars and Fife Flyers. Glasgow Clan, Guildford Flames, Manchester Storm, Nottingham Panthers and Sheffield Steelers complete the list. Belfast Giants won the 2025–26 league title, their eighth championship.

Each club has its own home and its own following. For example, Sheffield Steelers play at the Utilita Arena, one of the biggest arenas in the league. Nottingham Panthers play at the Motorpoint Arena in the city centre. In fact, Fife Flyers date back to 1938, which makes them the oldest surviving ice hockey club in the UK. Nottingham Panthers date back to 1946, and the club counts among the most successful in British hockey.

The EIHL season runs from September to April. Teams play a regular season first, then the top eight sides go into two-legged playoff quarter-finals. Finally, the winners meet at Playoff Finals Weekend, which takes place at the Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham. Meanwhile, the Challenge Cup runs at the same time. It starts with group games and ends with a final.

The leagues below the Elite League

The NIHL gives the next level of ice hockey UK its shape. The NIHL National League sits directly below the EIHL as a semi-professional league with 11 teams. Below that, NIHL Division 1 and Division 2 each split into North and South divisions. In 2025–26, NIHL 1 North held 10 teams and NIHL 1 South held 8. NIHL 2 North held 9 teams, while NIHL 2 South held 12.

Teams in these leagues play home and away games through the season. The best sides then meet in playoffs and cup competitions. The leagues carry no promotion or relegation, so clubs stay in their division from one season to the next. Scotland runs its own Scottish National League, which sits at a similar level to the NIHL divisions. For example, a strong NIHL club still needs a bigger budget and a deeper squad. Only then can it step up to the EIHL.

Great Britain on the world stage

Ice hockey UK also has a national team with a proud history. Great Britain won Olympic gold in 1936. The country also helped found the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) back in 1908. The men’s national team returned to the top flight of the World Championship in 2019. It came back after 25 years away. Since then, the side has moved between the top division and Division I.

That international link also brings the Winter Olympics into the picture. The Olympics give British fans a chance to watch the best players in the world. In fact, our guide to the 2026 Winter Olympics ice hockey tournament explains how that event works. In short, the domestic leagues feed players into the national team. A strong EIHL season often lifts the GB squad as well.

Where to watch a game

Ice hockey UK draws its loudest crowds on Saturday nights. Most EIHL clubs play at home on Saturday evenings, with some games on Friday nights and Sunday afternoons too. Arenas hold a few thousand fans, so even the biggest venues feel close to the action. In fact, music, light shows and a noisy crowd give the night a party feel. In addition, many clubs run family-friendly sessions with activities for children.

Book tickets through the club’s own website or box office. Check the fixture list early for derby games, since they sell out fast. Arrive early, since doors usually open an hour before face-off and the pre-game warm-up is worth watching. Bring layers, because the arena stays cold. Sit near the glass if you want the full impact of the hits. Just expect a puck to thud into the boards now and then.

How to learn to play ice hockey in the UK

Ice hockey UK welcomes new players of every age, and the route in is simpler than most people expect. Learning to skate comes first. Most rinks run learn-to-skate courses for beginners of all ages. You need solid skating skills before you pick up a stick. Planet Ice runs a programme called Hockey Excellence for complete beginners. It offers a weekly 45-minute group lesson. The lesson includes skate hire, a helmet, a stick and a puck. The programme suits children aged six and over, and it leads into junior or recreational teams.

Adults have their own routes in. Many Planet Ice rinks run Hockey Basics. This coached session teaches the fundamentals of the game to adult players of all levels. Stick and Puck sessions give you open ice time to practise shooting and stickhandling, with pucks and goals provided. Hockey Scrimmage sessions then let adult players join coach-led games in a relaxed setting, which builds confidence and game awareness. However, you do not need to buy kit before your first lesson, since beginner programmes include the basics.

Once you can skate and handle a puck, a local club is the next step. Junior clubs take players from around age five, while recreational and amateur teams welcome adults at every level. You will need a full kit: skates, a stick, gloves and a caged helmet at minimum. Your rink or club can advise on the right sizes. Ask about insurance too, since most clubs ask players to hold cover through the sport’s governing bodies.

What to check before your first game or first session

First, check the fixture list and book early for popular games. Second, check what the rink provides and what you need to bring. Some sessions lend kit, while others ask you to bring your own. Third, check the session level, since a beginners’ session suits new players far better than an open scrimmage.

Fourth, dress for the cold. A warm layer under a jacket works well, and gloves help if you sit near the ice. Finally, keep your expectations realistic on your first time on the ice. Skating takes practice, and most new players spend their first few sessions finding their balance. That is normal, and every player at your rink started the same way. Overall, ice hockey UK rewards anyone who gives it a try. You can watch from the stands or step onto the ice yourself.

FAQs about ice hockey UK

How many teams play in the Elite League?

Ten teams play in the Elite Ice Hockey League. The clubs are Belfast Giants, Cardiff Devils, Coventry Blaze, Dundee Stars and Fife Flyers. Glasgow Clan, Guildford Flames, Manchester Storm, Nottingham Panthers and Sheffield Steelers complete the list.

When does the ice hockey season run in the UK?

The main season runs from September to April. The EIHL regular season starts in mid-September, and the playoffs finish in April. Similarly, the NIHL season runs from early September to late March.

Where can I learn to play ice hockey in the UK?

Start with learn-to-skate lessons at your local rink. Next, look for a beginner hockey programme. For example, Planet Ice runs Hockey Excellence for children and Hockey Basics for adults at rinks across England. Local junior clubs take players from around age five.

How long does an ice hockey game last?

A game has three periods of 20 minutes, with breaks between periods. Most games finish in about two hours. In addition, tied playoff games can run longer if they go to overtime.

Do I need my own kit to start?

Beginner programmes usually include skate hire, a helmet, a stick and a puck in the lesson. Once you join a club, you will need your own skates, stick, gloves and caged helmet. Your coach can advise on sizes.