The countdown to the hockey season is officially under way following the release of the 2026/27 fixtures for NIHL North 1, North 2, South 1 and South 2.
A total of 41 teams will compete across the four leagues, with a full programme of league and cup hockey running from September through to March ahead of the playoffs thereafter.
NIHL North 1 and North 2 will each feature ten teams, with eight competing in South 1 and 13 in South 2.
The season officially begins on Saturday 5 September. In North 1, Leeds Knights 2 welcome Hull Jets and Sheffield Scimitars host Nottingham Lions, with both fixtures counting towards the league and cup competitions.
North 2 also gets underway that afternoon as Sheffield Scimitars 2 face Widnes Wild 2, before Billingham Buccaneers host Sutton Sting, Bradford Bulldogs take on Kingston Sharks and Nottingham Lions 2 meet Deeside Dragons 2 on Sunday 6 September.
The South 1 schedule begins on Sunday 13 September, when Romford Buccaneers host Slough Jets in the Challenge Cup and Chelmsford Chieftains face Solent Devils in league and cup action.
South 2 begins with six games across the opening weekend, including Bristol Pitbulls 2 against Lee Valley Lions and Invicta Mustangs against Chelmsford Warriors.
Click below for the full list of fixtures from each league: