Mon 13 May 2024 - 7:00PM
NEW CHALLENGE CUP FORMAT FROM NEXT SEASON
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Elite League press release
The Elite Ice Hockey League is pleased to confirm a new format for the 2024-25 Challenge Cup agreed by its 10 teams as planning begins for the new season.
Under the new format, 10 teams will compete across two groups for places in the semi-finals.
Head of Operations, Mike Hicks, said: "The biggest feedback for improvement in the 2022 Fan Survey was that we needed to address the Challenge Cup format, a subject the teams were also keen to address.
"It was something we have been looking at during the course of this season.
"We needed to find a solution that worked for all 10 teams as equal stakeholders, not simply benefit a few, and we’re pleased that the teams have come together to agree a new format for the coming season.
"This format offers us a solution that works for all teams, while also improving the sporting integrity of the competition with teams now fighting it out for four places in the semi-finals, which we hope will create greater excitement during the round-robin phase.”
Group Stage
Group A: Cardiff Devils, Coventry Blaze, Guildford Flames, Manchester Storm, Nottingham Panthers, Sheffield Steelers
Group B: Belfast Giants, Dundee Stars, Fife Flyers, Glasgow Clan
Teams in Group A will play each other once at home, and once away. Teams in Group B will play on a two-home, two-away basis.
Straight to the semi-finals
Teams will be playing for four places in the semi-finals – there will be no quarter-finals.
The winners of Group A and B, as well as the runners-up in Group A, will go directly into the semi-finals.
The runners-up in Group B will face the third-placed team in Group A in a special play-in round to decide the final place in the semi-finals.
This will be a one-off game played at the home arena of the team with the higher points percentage from the Group Stage.
Whichever of the two group winners enters the semi-finals with the best points percentage from the Group Stage will be awarded the ability to choose their semi-final opponents, excluding the other group winners.
Season tickets for 2024-25 are on sale now and offer the best-value way to watch the Panthers and prices have been frozen for renewals.
New from next season, we've introduced an all-in season ticket option which offers outstanding value for money and covers every single Panthers home game. This includes all Elite League regular-season games, all Challenge Cup home group games as well any subsequent home ties in the quarter-finals and semi-finals, a potential home playoff quarter-final and all home pre-season matches played by the Panthers.
Existing Season tickets have until 31st May to retain their seat and take advantage of the discounted renewal prices.