The Planet Ice NIHL National Division season commences this weekend, with league champions Leeds Knights and play-off conquerors Peterborough Phantoms the teams to beat heading into the new campaign.

The Phantoms begin the defence of their silverware away from home on Saturday when they travel to the newly-rebranded Berkshire Bees, before returning home on Sunday to take on Sheffield Steeldogs.

The Knights will be looking to win a third consecutive National Division league title this season. They also start their campaign on the road on Saturday, visiting a Solway Sharks side ready to embark on their second season in the league.

Leeds then host last season’s National Cup winners MK Lightning on Sunday, in one of the fixtures of the weekend.

As well as their match-up against the only side to finish above them in the division last season, MK Lightning will host the rebranded Romford Raiders to open their campaign on Saturday evening.

The season officially begins on Friday when Swindon Wildcats take on Berkshire. The Wildcats, play-off semi-finalists last season, then take on Romford Raiders on Sunday.

Last season’s cup runners-up Hull Seahawks and the division’s bottom club Bristol Pitbulls take part in a double-header across the opening weekend.

And like Sheffield, Telford Tigers are only in action once during Gameweek 1 as they host Solway in the round’s final match at 6pm on Sunday.

Fixtures – NIHL National Division

Fri 13th Sep 7:30pm Swindon Wildcats vs Berkshire Bees L/C
Sat 14th Sep 6:30pm Berkshire Bees vs Peterborough Phantoms L
Sat 14th Sep 7:00pm Bristol Pitbulls vs Hull Seahawks L
Sat 14th Sep 7:00pm Milton Keynes Lightning vs Romford Raiders L/C
Sat 14th Sep 7:00pm Solway Sharks vs Leeks Knights L/C
Sun 15th Sep 5:15pm Leeds Knights vs Milton Keynes Lightning L/C
Sun 15th Sep 5:15pm Romford Raiders vs Swindon Wildcats L/C
Sun 15th Sep 5:30pm Hull Seahawks vs Bristol Pitbulls L/C
Sun 15th Sep 5:30pm Peterborough Phantoms vs Sheffield Steeldogs L/C
Sun 15th Sep 6:00pm Telford Tigers vs Solway Sharks L/C

Stay updated on all the latest fixtures and results from across the NIHL regional divisions, WNIHL and junior leagues.