Steelers begin EIHL campaign against Giants

Sheffield Steelers completed a treble of Elite League, Challenge Cup and Play-Offs in 2023-24

Champions Sheffield Steelers will begin the defence of their Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL) title at home against Belfast Giants.

Last season's runners-up Cardiff Devils will be the first team in league action when they host Glasgow Clan on Saturday, 14 September.

Steelers opener against Giants - who they beat in last season's Play-Off final - is not until Sunday, 29 September because of European Champions Hockey League (ECHL) commitments.

Prior to the first league games, the new season opens on 7 September with matches in the revamped Challenge Cup - where the 10 teams will now compete in two groups for places in the semi-finals.

Belfast will travel to Dundee Stars for their return to action, while Manchester Storm host Guildford Flames and Glasgow Clan visit Fife Flyers.

Cardiff's first taste of action will be their cup visit to Guildford on Sunday, 15 September.

On the same weekend Nottingham Panthers visit Storm for their opener, while Coventry Blaze host Glasgow.

After four games in the ECHL, last season’s Grand Slam winners Steelers begin the defence of the Challenge Cup on Saturday, 21 September hosting Guildford.

Sheffield secured the 2023-24 league title with five games to spare, finishing with a 14-point gap on second placed Cardiff.

Both face busy seasons in 2024-25.

Sheffield are grouped with Sweden's Skelleftea AIK and Vaxjo Lakers, Dynamo Pardubice and Sparta Prague from Czechia and Swiss pair ZSC Lions and Fribourg-Gotteron in the ECHL.

In mid-November Devils will travel to Zilina, Slovakia to play group games in the Continental Cup for their third consecutive campaign in the tournament.

On their return the Devils will play 14 matches in less than six weeks up to the New Year.

The final regular season league games take place on the weekend of 4 April 2025, and include a Steelers v Devils showdown in Sheffield on the penultimate night.

Play-Off quarter-finals are scheduled for the following week, while the Play-Off finals weekend will take place in Nottingham the following week on 19 and 20 April.

Team's opening 2024-25 fixtures

Challenge Cup

Saturday, 7 September

Dundee Stars v Belfast Giants

Manchester Storm v Guildford Flames

Fife Flyers v Glasgow Clan

Friday, 13 September

Manchester Storm v Nottingham Panthers

Saturday, 14 September

Belfast Giants v Dundee Stars

Sunday, 15 September

Guildford Flames v Cardiff Devils

Saturday, 21 September

Sheffield Steelers v Guildford Flames

Elite League

Saturday, 14 September

Cardiff Devils v Glasgow Clan

Fife Flyers v Manchester Storm

Sunday, 15 September

Coventry Blaze v Glasgow Clan

Saturday, 21 September

Dundee Stars v Manchester Storm

Saturday, 28 September

Manchester Storm v Belfast Giants

Sunday, 29 September

Sheffield Steelers v Belfast Giants

Guildford Flames v Fife Flyers

Saturday, 02 October

Glasgow Clan v Nottingham Panthers

Fulll fixtures are available on the EIHL website.