Slovakian champions HK Nitra begin their third campaign in the pan-European competition against former Champions Hockey League Finalists Skellefteå AIK from Sweden. Skellefteå ended their regular season in the SHL with 108 points and were crowned National Champions after defeating fellow CHL participants Rögle Ängelholm. Nitra handily defeated Slovan Bratislava in their Tipsport liga final series to capture their third Slovak championship. 

Nitra's last CHL outing came back in the 2016/17 iteration, where the Slovaks only made it as far as the Round of 32 before being shut out in both games against Czech challengers Vítkovice Ridera. Since then, the club has had mixed results in their domestic performance, but did manage to claim their second title in the 2023/24 season. Looking ahead, Nitra face a tough first contest in Skellefteå, who've secured the victory in the first game each of the past two seasons. Could the Slovaks prove the upset?

The Swedes enter the 2026/27 CHL campaign having qualified for the Playoffs each time they've entered the competition. Only two years ago, the club was vying the European Trophy but lost to eventual Champions Genève-Servette 3-2. They followed up this performance with an early exit in the Round of 16, falling to Pinguins Bremerhaven in both games. Skellefteå are hoping for better results this year as they look to keep their Playoff streak alive.

This Game Day 1 derby will be the clubs' first meeting in over 11 years. They met during the 2015/16 campaign, where the Swedes beat the Slovaks in both matches played - the second of which was a 3-2 shootout win for Skellefteå.