Game Day 1 of the 2026/27 season of the Champions Hockey League will get off to a blast with a huge game lined up for Friday - Adler Mannheim vs. Växjö Lakers.
These two heavyweights are teams European hockey fans are familiar with and rightfully fear, but are still waiting for their time to shine on the CHL stage. That can all change with a good start to the new campaign, so the stakes are high in this one!
- First-ever meeting between these two clubs
- Adler lost in the Round of 16 in their previous participation
- Växjö are returning to CHL action after a one-year absence
This is a clash of two Champions Hockey League veterans, as both Mannheim and Växjö are entering their ninth CHL season. The Germans last participated in the 2023/24 campaign, while the Swedes last saw CHL action in 2024/25.
Växjö have historically done well in Regular Season play, having advanced to the Playoffs in six of their previous eight participations. Most recently, the Swedish side made it all the way to the Quarter-Finals but were eliminated by Sparta Prague. Now, after a one-year absence, the team that even made the CHL Final in 2018, enter the competition hoping to end their recent Quarter-Finals curse.
A good start on opening night will be key but facing Mannheim on the road is going to be tough. They are a strong, physical team with some great players. And never count out the Mannheim home crowd as an extra decisive factor!
"A modern European powerhouse. Their organisation has established an incredible standard of excellence over the past decade. Every time you play a Swedish team you know you’ll face speed, structure and tremendous skill. It will be a great test for our group.”Dallas Eakins, Adler Mannheim Head Coach
Die Adler are another team with an impressive, albeit unsuccessful, Playoff streak on the European stage. While they have made it past the Regular Season in their past four participations, even topping the 24-team standings in 2023/24, the Germans have suffered four consecutive Round of 16 exits. In their last series, Adler were outscored by an aggregate of 7-2 by Swiss side Rapperswil-Jona Lakers. Could this be the year they finally break through?
Växjö are a strong European side full of talented players who can decide games. They are fast and well-positioned, so keeping on top of them all is going to be tricky for Mannheim.
“Mannheim are a team with a lot of experience and high individual quality. They are skilled with the puck and punish mistakes immediately. For us, it will be about being consistent in our game over 60 minutes and making sure the game is played on our terms.”Björn Hellkvist, Växjö Lakers Head Coach
Interestingly, this will be the first time these two sides collide despite their prolonged respective CHL histories. And with each having gotten off to a great start in their previous Game Day 1 derbies, expect a tense battle as they hope to get the momentum going from the very first puck drop.
You have to make time for this one! Don't miss the game on Friday, 4 September at 19:30 CEST!