Current season, competition or edition: 2024–25 EIHL season | |
| Sport | Ice hockey |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2003 |
| First season | 2003–04 |
| No. of teams | 10 |
| Headquarters | London, England |
| Region |  United Kingdom |
| Continent | Europe |
| Most recent champion(s) | Sheffield Steelers (2023-24) |
| Most titles | Belfast Giants / Sheffield Steelers (6 titles) |
| TV partner(s) | None[1] |
| Domestic cup(s) | Challenge Cup - Nottingham Panthers (8 titles) |
| Related competitions | Play-offs - Most wins (EIHL era) Sheffield Steelers (6 titles) |
| Official website | www |
The Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL), sometimes referred to internationally as the British Elite League, is an ice hockey league in the United Kingdom. Formed in 2003 following the demise of the Ice Hockey Superleague, it is the highest level of ice hockey competition in the United Kingdom.
The league operates three competitions for members; the British Championship play-offs determine the national champion for the season, following a regular season league competition for which separate champions are also crowned, and which selects and seeds the teams in the play-offs. Finally, a stand-alone cup competition, the Challenge Cup, is also held annually including only EIHL teams, beginning with the group stages followed by a knock-out format. In effect, the play-off final, regular end-of-season table and Challenge Cup final crown the British or National Champions, the EIHL League champions and the Cup champions respectively.
The league currently consists of one division of ten teams, with representation from all four nations of the United Kingdom – the only league in any sport to do so. Five of the teams as of 2023 are situated in England, while the other five are spread throughout the other nations; three in Scotland, one each in Wales and Northern Ireland. In fourteen completed seasons the league championship has been won by five different teams, while the play-offs have crowned six different teams as national champions.
A system of promotion and relegation is not operated by the Elite League; teams enter the league on the basis of a decision by the board of directors. A similar system operates in most American sports, and also in various competitions in Britain and Ireland, including the British Basketball League, the United Rugby Championship, the Netball Superleague, and The Hundred and County Championship in English and Welsh cricket.
Despite this, other organised ice-hockey does take place in Great Britain. The level below the Elite League is the National Ice Hockey League, and historically teams have moved between the two leagues for competitive and financial reasons, by agreement of the respective leagues' management.
Internationally, teams from the EIHL can participate in the International Ice Hockey Federation's annual Champions Hockey League (CHL), competing for the European Trophy. Participation is based on the strength of the various leagues in Europe (excluding the European/Asian Kontinental Hockey League). Going into the 2022–23 CHL season, the EIHL was ranked the No. 8 league in Europe, allowing them to send their top team to compete in the CHL.
The day-to-day operation of the league is overseen by a chairman (as of 2023, Tony Smith), a director of hockey operations (Michael Hicks), media manager / hockey operations (Luke Fisher), head of commercial operations (Mark Brooks), and a board of directors. Disciplinary matters are handled by EIHL Hockey Operation's Department of Player Safety (DOPS).
- ^ "Elite League". Retrieved 1 November 2022.