Tie-breaking criteria

When teams have played an unequal number of games, the team having played the fewest will be ranked higher.

In the event of teams being equal on points at the end of a season, the following criteria will decide the final league ranking;

i. Total number of points.

ii. Total number of games won in regulation time.

iii. Total number of all games won (regulation, overtime and penalties).

iv. The results of games played between the relevant teams by applying points won, games won in regulation time, all games won (regulation time/overtime/penalties), in that order of priority.

v. Fewest regulation losses.

vi. Using away games: – points won, games won in regulation time, all games won (regulation time/overtime/penalties), in that order of priority.

vii. Goals scored.

viii. Goal Difference

ix. Fewest Penalty Minutes (Fair Play)

x. In the unlikely event of teams still being equal, teams will be ranked by the drawing of lots. Any prize monies determined by the position in a league or group by this means will be shared equally by the tying teams.

xi. Where a group of two or more teams is tied, then whenever a team can be eliminated due to the above order of priority, it shall be, by applying each of the above stages in order of such priority.

The 2023/24 Challenge Cup has ten teams split into three groups. All teams play each other on a two home, two away basis except in Group A which is one home, one away:

Group A: Cardiff Devils, Coventry Blaze, Guildford Flames, Manchester Storm, Nottingham Panthers, Sheffield Steelers
– Top two teams advance to the Semi-Finals, Group Winners as seed. Third-placed team advances to 'Play In' game.

Group B: Belfast Giants, Dundee Stars, Fife Flyers, Glasgow Clan
– Top team advances to Semi-Finals as a seed. Runner-up advances to 'Play In' game.

For the benefit of seedings, teams are ranked according to their overall point percentage.

Group Stage games must produce a winner – overtime and, if necessary, shootouts will be played if the game is tied after 60 minutes.

In the event of teams being equal on points in the group, or for the same position based on their points percentage, the following criteria will decide the final group ranking. Where teams have not played an equal amount of games but are tied on points percentage, the below criteria shall be applied as the percentage of each criteria, rather than the total:

i. Total number of points.

ii. Total number of games won in regulation time.

iii. Total number of all games won (regulation, overtime and penalties).

iv. The results of games played between the relevant teams by applying points won, games won in regulation time, all games won (regulation time/overtime/penalties), in that order of priority.

v. Fewest regulation losses.

vi. Using away games: – points won, games won in regulation time, all games won

(regulation time/overtime/penalties), in that order of priority.

vii. Goals scored.

viii. Goal Difference

ix. Fewest Penalty Minutes (Fair Play)

x. In the unlikely event of teams still being equal, teams will be ranked by the drawing of lots. Any prize monies determined by the position in a league or group by this means will be shared equally by the tying teams.

xi. Where a group of two or more teams is tied, then whenever a team can be eliminated due to the above order of priority, it shall be, by applying each of the above stages in order of such priority.

Knockout Stages
The 'Play In' game between the team placed third in Group A and second in Group B will be a one-off game, played at the home rink of the team with the higher points percentage.

Once the four Semi-Finalists are known, the highest seeded team has the option to pick their opponents (excluding the other group winner).

All games in Semi-Finals are aggregate-scoring, home and away series. Overtime will only be played if the score is tied on aggregate after 60 minutes have been played in the return leg. In both stages, the option of home-ice advantage for the return leg will be given to the higher-seeded team.

Final

The Final will be held in March 2025. The highest seed has the option of home-ice advantage. The date will be communicated publicly after transport provisions for the visiting team have been secured.