The 2026–27 KHL season is the 19th season of the Kontinental Hockey League. 22 teams will compete in 68 regular season games between 5 September 2026 and 20 March 2027.
Season changes
The playoff seeding system has been changed. From the second round onwards, teams will be reseeded each round according to the overall standings.
For the first time since introduction, the league's salary cap has been raised by 50 million rubles, to 950 million rubles excluding certain bonuses. The salary floor has also been raised by 50 million rubles, to 525 million rubles.
Several rules were implemented to increase pace of play:
Video reviews for penalties can now be evaluated for player simulation. The referees also gained the ability to initiate a video review for puck-over-glass delay of game penalties without a coach's challenge, and review goaltender interference if the play is already under review to determine if the puck has crossed the goal line.
Hand passes that are both sent and received inside the team's half of the rink will no longer cause a stoppage of play.
A player that lost his helmet will no longer be penalized if he picks it up, puts it on and continues play.
A player using his hand to play the puck now must keep it open.
For the first time in league history, the Opening Cup will not be awarded, and multiple games will be played on opening day.
Teams The 22 teams are split into four divisions: the Bobrov Division and the Tarasov Division as part of the Western Conference, with the Kharlamov Division and the Chernyshev Division as part of the Eastern Conference.
Western ConferenceEastern Conference Bobrov Division Tarasov Division Kharlamov Division Chernyshev Division Lada Togliatti CSKA Moscow Ak Bars Kazan Admiral Vladivostok SKA Saint Petersburg Dinamo Minsk Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg Amur Khabarovsk HC Sochi Dynamo Moscow Metallurg Magnitogorsk Avangard Omsk Spartak Moscow Lokomotiv Yaroslavl Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk Barys Astana Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod Severstal Cherepovets Traktor Chelyabinsk Salavat Yulaev Ufa Shanghai Dragons Sibir Novosibirsk
Standings Western Conference
Eastern Conference
Continental Cup
Gagarin Cup Playoffs
The Gagarin Cup playoffs will start on 23 March 2027. Game 7 of the Gagarin Cup Final, if necessary, will be played on 23 May 2027.
All-Star Game
The 2027 KHL All-Star Game will be held at Minsk Arena on February 6-7, 2027.
References