The Ukrainian Hockey Federation has published the key parameters of the new professional season. According to data released on the UHF's official website and reported by Sport RBC.UA, the 2026/2027 championship will feature five clubs competing at the professional level, with the four best teams after the regular tournament advancing to the medal playoff. The regular season is scheduled for 28 rounds, and the championship is set to kick off in the third week of September 2026.
Participant lineup: familiar faces and two newcomers
In the new season, the title will be contested by the Kyiv-based Sokol and Kremenchuk, familiar to Ukrainian fans, as well as last year's debutant Odesina. Among the new participants is the Boguslavski Sherшни (Boguslav Hornets) team, led by Vadim Shakhraychuk, former head coach of the Ukraine national team and Kyiv Capitals. In addition, the Kherson-based Dnipro is returning to the professional level. Thus, the five-team championship combines experienced squads with fresh forces, which should boost competition in the regular season.
Tournament format and calendar
The championship will be held in two stages. The first is a regular season of 28 rounds, at the end of which only the team finishing fifth will miss the playoff. The top four clubs will continue the fight for gold in the playoff. The approximate start of the championship is the third week of September 2026. This format, with a short regular season and a wide playoff (four out of five teams), makes every regular-season match significant in the race for a postseason spot.
Ukrainian Cup and team preparation
Traditionally, the championship is preceded by the Ukrainian Cup. In the new season, the tournament will be hosted by Kremenchuk, with the approximate dates of mid-September 2026. It is separately noted that Kyiv's Sokol has already begun preparing for the season, in which the team intends to compete in two championships — the Ukrainian Championship and the Polish Championship — which underscores the international nature of its sports program.
Who dropped out of the professional championship
Not all previously announced teams made it into the new season. The Storm team failed the accreditation, having not submitted the required documents, while Kryzhynka Capitals did not even file an application to participate in the tournament. As a result, the professional level is formed by five clubs, which will compete for the championship title in the 2026/2027 season.
