FAQ
A densely packed schedule, well -known favorites on the championship title, once again a newcomer and ice hockey in the open air – everything fans need to know about the new DEL season, and there is even more here in the FAQ of the sports show.
When does the DEL season start?
The 32nd season of the German Ice Hockey League (DEL) starts on September 9th. From 7.30 p.m., promoted Dresden Eislöwen will be guest with the defending champion Eisbären Berlin. The remaining six games of the 1st matchday will take place on September 12 from 7.30 p.m.
What do key data and mode of the DEL season look like?
The total of 14 DEL clubs play at home twice and twice against each other. This results in 52 main round game days until March 15th. The subsequent quarter-final playoffs contest the six best-placed teams and the winners of the two pre-playoffs, in which the teams meet seven to ten in ranks. The new German champion has been determined on May 7, 2026 at the latest.
Is there another winter game?
Yes, of course there is. Under the motto “opening game the same winter game”, the Dresden Eislöwen meet the Berlin ice bears. The game will take place on January 10th in the Rudolf Harbig Stadium in Dresden and is to be marketed as a new east derby.
Where can I follow the DEL LIVE?
All 364 games of the main round and the complete playoffs are broadcast live at “Magenta Sport”. In addition, “DF1” will show a game of the main round on free TV every Sunday. Sportschau.de offers live tickers of the DEL games throughout the season.
Who is a favorite in the DEL?
Of course, the usual suspicious – champion Eisbären Berlin. The Berliners about successful coach Serge Aubin had won their fourth title within five years last season and are again starting as a clear title favorite – only the long failure of captain Kai Wissmann hurts.
The strongest competitors are likely to be the Cologne Haie and the Adler Mannheim on paper. After the clear final defeat last season, Cologne has to replace top performers such as goalkeeper Julius Hudacek (Dresden) and the strikers Justin Schütz (Mannheim) and Alexandre Grenier (Augsburg), but at the same time the Rhinelander added offensive and defensively with internationally experienced professionals. The eagles were also able to strengthen, but in recent years they had remained behind the high expectations.
Who is still playing above?
Munich goes into the season after a disappointing season and a long overdue change with Oliver David as a new coach. The American, most recently two champions at the EC Salzburg partner club, initially has to form a team from the numerous top players. At ERC Ingolstadt, according to the best main round in club history, the claims also rose despite the later semi-final, but the panther must first collect the departures of some top performers such as Fabio Wagner (Munich) or Wojciech Stachowiak (Tampa Bay Lightning).
Who rose to the DEL?
In the DEL there is a tribulation above the descent of the public puller Düsseldorfer eG – but also anticipation for the first DEL promoter for three years, the Dresden Eislöwen. Dresden starts with great ambitions. “For us, the view goes ahead. We want to establish ourselves in the DEL in the short and medium term. Accordingly, the goal is to play playoffs“, says Eislöwen managing director Maik Walsdorf. On paper, the promoted team with an estimated solid 8.5 million euros is quite able to surprise.
How is the viewer interest?
A few days before the start of the season, the DEL reported record numbers for sales and the audience again. However, a spectator magnet and large club relegated to the DEL2 with Düsseldorfer eG in spring. In the past season, a total of 3.33 million viewers flocked to the DEL halls, which is a record value. In the main round, the utilization of the halls was 90.1 percent according to DEL, in the playoffs even 96 percent.
How do the Olympic Games affect the DEL schedule?
The schedule of the DEL season 2025/26 is very tight. The league interrupts twice the game from November 3 to 12, 2025 for the Germany Cup in Landshut and from January 28 to February 24, 2026 because of the Olympic Winter Games in Milan and Cortina (February 5-22). Despite the appointment stress, the DEL looks positively for the event. “The league games will be upgraded again by then because the focus is on the fight for the squad places. This is a very special grade again“, says DEL-Managing Director Gernot Tripcke. Above all, the German internationals will want to show themselves, after all, the NHL stars are again at the Olympics for the first time in twelve years.