The Women’s National Ice Hockey League (WNIHL) will have a record 57 teams across its divisional structure this coming season, the league has announced today.

Less than two months after a successful WNIHL Finals in Sheffield, the league structure for the new season has been confirmed.

There are seven senior divisions and two U16 divisions, with several new teams and some returning to the competition after time away.

The WNIHL Elite remains at six teams, with Bristol Huskies returning to the top flight after their playoff win in May.

The WNIHL 1 is split into north and south divisions, with six teams in each.

At WNIHL 2 level, there are four divisions – two in the north and two in the south. Divisions are once again named after fantastic supporters of WNIHL and women’s hockey, Valerie Wilkinson and Elizabeth Moralee.

The WNIHL 2 North has six teams in Valerie and five teams in Elizabeth. WNIHL 2 South has six teams in each division.

There are a number of new teams in our WNIHL 2 divisions. We welcome Blackburn Hawks (North Valerie), Manchester Storm, Leeds Thorns and Nottingham Vipers (North Elizabeth), and MK Falcons and Cambridge Kodiaks (South Elizabeth).

A lot of these are second teams as clubs build a development pathway for women’s hockey.

Finally the U16 divisions are bolstered by a new team in Billingham and a returning Nottingham Vipers. The U16 North now boasts nine teams, while the U16 South has seven.

Two teams from last season – Peterborough Phantoms Women and Grimsby Wolves – are not icing in 2025/26. The league looks forward to their return in the near future.

WNIHL general manager Faye Andrews said: “The number of teams in league play is a record for the WNIHL, and when the cup teams are included, we have over 60 teams playing organised women’s hockey under our umbrella.

“The WNIHL has enjoyed growth alongside that of the women’s game worldwide, and we look forward to another exciting season ,starting in the autumn.”

The league also hopes to confirm its WNIHL Finals format very soon.

Competing teams in 2025/26

WNIHL Elite:

• Bristol Huskies
• Guildford Lightning
• Queen Bees
• Solihull Vixens
• Streatham Storm
• Whitley Bay Beacons

WNIHL 1 North:

• Caledonia Steel Queens
• Kingston Diamonds
• Nottingham Vipers
• Sheffield Shadows
• Solway Sharks
• Widnes Wild

WNIHL 1 South:

• Cambridge Kodiaks
• Chelmsford Cobras
• Fire Bees
• MK Falcons
• Streatham Storm 2
• Swindon Topcats

WNIHL 2 North Valerie:

• Blackburn Hawks
• Kingston Diamonds 2
• Leeds Roses
• Sheffield Shadows 2
• Telford Wrekin Raiders
• Whitley Bay Beacons 2

WNIHL 2 North Elizabeth:

• Caledonia Steel Queen Bees
• Kingston Diamonds 3
• Leeds Thorns
• Manchester Storm
• Nottingham Vipers 2

WNIHL 2 South Valerie:

• Cardiff Comets
• Chelmsford Pythons
• Haringey Greyhounds
• Oxford Midnight Stars
• Slough Sirens
• Solent Amazons

WNIHL 2 South Elizabeth:

• Bristol Huskies 2
• Cambridge Kodiaks 2
• Coventry Phoenix
• Invicta Dynamics
• Lee Valley Vampires
• MK Falcons 2

WNIHL U16 North:

• Billingham Stars
• Caledonia Iron Maidens
• Deeside Dragons
• Kingston Diamonds
• Leeds Junior Knights
• Manchester Storm
• Nottingham Vipers
• Sheffield Shadows
• Whitley Bay Beacons

WNIHL U16 South:

• Bristol Huskies Puppies
• Chelmsford Rattlesnakes
• Ice Bees
• London/Haringey
• MK Storm
• Midlands Wrekin Raiders
• Swindon Top Kittens