The fifth Challenger League spot for the upcoming Champions Hockey League (CHL) season has been confirmed. The national champion of the Slovak Extraliga, HK Nitra, will join Europe’s biggest club ice hockey competition. It marks Slovakia’s first participation since the 2023/24 season.

The champions of the following five Challenger Leagues will participate in the upcoming CHL season:

- Denmark
- France
- Norway
- Poland
- Slovakia

The allocation of Challenger League places is reviewed by the CHL ahead of every season. Several factors are taken into account, including sporting competitiveness, management structures, infrastructure and attendance figures.

The 2026/27 CHL season will feature 24 teams. In addition to reigning CHL Champions Frölunda Gothenburg, three teams from each Shareholder League and the five Challenger League champions will compete.

Head here to see which clubs have already secured their place for the upcoming season.