LEEDS KNIGHTS will get an early indication of Hull Seahawks’ thirst for revenge over last season’s NIHL National play-off final loss when the two teams clash on the opening night of the 2026-27 campaign.
The derby rivals who brought the curtain down on 2025-26 have been handed the honour of getting things rolling when they meet at Elland Road Ice Rink on Friday, September 18.
SEE YOU SOON: Leeds Knights celebrate in front of their fans at Coventry's Skydome Arena on their way to beating Hull Seahawks in last season's NIHL National play-off final. Picture: Miles Tidman/Knights Media.placeholder image
SEE YOU SOON: Leeds Knights celebrate in front of their fans at Coventry's Skydome Arena on their way to beating Hull Seahawks in last season's NIHL National play-off final. Picture: Miles Tidman/Knights Media.
Leeds Knights’ 2026-27 NIHL National fixtures in full HERE
Their rivals have to wait another 24 hours before getting their campaigns underway.
Ryan Aldridge’s team - who memorably came from 3-2 down to beat Hull 5-3 in the play-off final at Coventry’s Skydome Arena in April - face a second tough test on opening weekend when they visit a Milton Keynes Lightning team now coached by GB head coach Pete Russell, who also happens to be Aldridge’s brother-in-law.
The Knights’ first visit of the season to Hull comes on Sunday, November 15, before the rivals play back-to-back games on December 18 and 19, the first one staged at Elland Road.
The head-to-head league series concludes when Hull visit Leeds on February 5 before playing host in a midweek clash on Thursday, February 18.
The first derby meeting of the campaign with Sheffield Steeldogs - who defeated Leeds in the NIHL National Cup final last season - arrives early on, too, when the Knights visit Ice Sheffield on October 11.
The two lock horns for the first time in Leeds towards the end of the month on Thursday, October 29.
The Steeldogs return for a second time to West Yorkshire two days before Christmas, with Leeds returning the favour eight days later in what is now the traditional New Year’s Eve clash between the two at Ice Sheffield.
The six-game series is completed late in the season, the Knights at home on March 14 before heading down the M1 for a third and final time five nights later.
Leeds complete their regular season campaign on Sunday, March 21 when they host Solway Sharks, who also provide the opposition at Elland Road on Boxing Day.
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