Four teams will open the final chapter of their journey toward a place in the CHL Final when the Champions Hockey League enters the Semi-Finals this Tuesday. Three Swedish teams and one Swiss contender remain in the hunt for the European Trophy.
Semi-Final Showdowns
The Champions Hockey League enters the Playoff Semi-Finals on Tuesday, 13 January 2026, featuring the First Games of Brynäs IF – Frölunda Gothenburg (19:00 CET, in Gävle/SWE) and EV Zug – Luleå Hockey (19:45 CET, in Zug/SUI). The Return Games will follow on Tuesday, 20 January 2026, with Frölunda Gothenburg – Brynäs IF (19:00 CET, in Gothenburg/SWE) and Luleå Hockey – EV Zug (19:00 CET, in Luleå/SWE).
Game Regulations
The Semi-Finals are played in a two-game, home-and-away format, with the aggregate score deciding which team advances. Overtime and shootouts can occur in the Return Game if the aggregate score is tied after two games. Find more information in the CHL Sport Regulations.
More Information About our Four Semi-Finalists
Brynäs IF make history by playing in their very first CHL Semi-Finals, marking a remarkable comeback to the competition after a long absence. Find team and player statistics here.
Frölunda Gothenburg, four-time CHL Champions, extend their record with an eighth Semi-Finals appearance. Find team and player statistics here.
Luleå Hockey, former CHL Champions of the inaugural 2014/15 season, return to the Semi-Finals for a fourth time, aiming for a third Final appearance. Find team and player statistics here.
Who can Host the Final?
All four Semi-Finalists remain in contention to host CHL Final 2026. As a result, the overall point record accumulated throughout the season will determine the host after the Semi-Finals. The current team ranking and more information can be found on the CHL website. The CHL will officially confirm the host city of the CHL Final after the Semi-Finals Return Games.
The Champions Hockey League and the Nordics
The Champions Hockey League (CHL) is the premier international club competition in European ice hockey, bringing together the top teams from the continent’s strongest national leagues. Founded to mirror the spirit of football’s Champions League, the CHL places sporting merit at its core, rewarding domestic champions and top-ranked clubs with a place on the European stage. From the outset, Nordic hockey has been central to the tournament’s identity, thanks to its intensity, tactical discipline, and deeply rooted fan cultures. Sweden and Finland, in particular, have shaped the CHL’s competitive balance. Clubs from the Swedish SHL and the Finnish Liiga are perennial contenders, often setting the benchmark for performance and organization. Teams such as Frölunda Gothenburg, Brynäs IF, Luleå Hockey, and Finland’s Tappara Tampere have not only collected titles and finals appearances, but have also helped define the CHL’s fast-paced, physically demanding style of play. Beyond results, Nordic participation gives the Champions Hockey League much of its cultural weight. Packed arenas, strong youth-development systems, and a shared emphasis on collective hockey make Nordic clubs natural ambassadors for the competition. As the CHL continues to grow, the presence of Scandinavian and Finnish teams remains a guarantee of quality, credibility, and continuity—ensuring that the road to the European title almost always runs through the North.
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