The Czech Republic’s top ice hockey league is set to begin its 2026/27 season next week, with the championship race, the return of major Czech hockey names and the league’s 90th anniversary among the key highlights.
The season will officially open on September 15 with a rescheduled game between Karlovy Vary and Třinec. The remaining 12 teams will begin their campaigns a day later.
The regular season will conclude with the 52nd round on March 5, 2027. The play-off preliminary round will start three days later, with the Czech champion expected to be crowned by April 30 at the latest if the final goes to a decisive seventh game.
Pardubice Begin as Defending Champions
Dynamo Pardubice enter the new campaign as reigning champions. The club has strengthened its squad significantly after winning the title and is once again among the leading contenders.
Top Czech Hockey Names Return
The new season will feature several experienced players returning from North American hockey and international competition.
David Kämpf, Tomáš Nosek, David Tomášek, Matěj Blümel, Daniel Voženílek and Michal Kempný are among the prominent names returning to the Czech league.
Younger players including Michal Kunc, Jakub Rychlovský and Jakub Brabenec are also returning after periods in North America.
The coaching ranks will feature familiar names as well. Former Czech national team coaches Radim Rulík and Patrik Augusta are taking charge of new Extraliga teams. Rulík will coach Kladno, while Augusta will lead HC Sparta Prague.
Red Bull Joins as Main Partner
The league will also welcome Austrian energy drink company Red Bull as one of the main partners of the Tipsport Extraliga.
A new official league song, “Jdeme na hokej,” will also be released, with its music video scheduled to premiere on September 11 through the Extraliga’s social media channels.
90th Anniversary Celebrations
A major highlight of the season will come in January, when the Czech Republic’s top ice hockey division celebrates its 90th anniversary.
Over nine decades, the league has produced numerous prominent Czech and international hockey players and remains one of the country’s most popular sporting competitions.