EIHL: New Challenge Cup format for 2024/25 season confirmed
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Under the new format, 10 teams will compete across two groups for places in the semi-finals.
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Hide AdMike Hicks, head of operations with the EIHL, 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.”
Hicks continued: “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.”Hicks concluded: “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
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Hide AdGroup 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.
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Hide AdStraight 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.
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Hide AdWhichever 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).