ÖEHV sets the profes­sion­al­i­sa­tion of the Ö Eishockey Liga (ÖEL) in motion

The project group was prompted by the withdrawal of three Austrian clubs from the ALPS Hockey League for cost reasons – Steel Wings Linz, EHC Lustenau and KAC Future Team.

In order to provide young domestic talents in the U18 and U20 age groups with a suitable platform alongside the ALPS Hockey League on which they can develop their performance level, the ÖEL is to be gradually expanded into a semi-professional league. It could, for example, also become a new home for the aforementioned teams that can no longer participate in the AHL for cost reasons, or do not wish to do so.

This will enable players who have not been offered a professional contract to remain in ice hockey, while creating greater overall depth. In turn, this is intended to increase the pool of players available for selection to representative teams.

At a joint meeting with ÖEL clubs, representatives of the ALPS and ICE Hockey League, and the ÖEHV on 18 December, all parties unanimously agreed, for the reasons stated above, to further professionalise the ÖEL.

Certain areas of the ÖEL tender for the 2025/2026 season will be adapted for this purpose in order to drive forward the objective of developing and further professionalising the league, thereby further increasing its appeal.

Measures for the future of the ÖEL 2025/2026

• Marketing: Extensive rights will be assigned in pursuit of unified marketing
• Unified start to the season: In future, the season for both divisions will begin at the start of October
• More regular-season games: A slight expansion of the schedule (single round-robin) is viewed positively
• Strengthening the importance of the play-offs: The play-offs are to gain in relevance through at least a best-of-three format

With these adaptations, the ÖEHV ensures that the ÖEL remains positioned as a valuable league and meets the expectations of teams, fans and partners.