For immediate release
For more information, contact: Joel Silverberg, Director of Broadcasting (865) 525-7825, joel@knoxvilleicebears.com.
The SPHL has announced a change to the league’s postseason format, as determined at the league’s annual Winter meetings by the SPHL’s Board of Governors. The official statement from the league is as follows:
HUNTERSVILLE, NA (February 10, 2026) — The SPHL on Tuesday announced an expanded President’s Cup format, which was unanimously approved at last week’s Winter Meeting by the league’s Board of Governors.
The new format will increase both the semi-final and championship rounds to best-of-five formats, while the first round will remain a best-of-three series:
President’s Cup Playoff Format
The top eight (8) teams in the standings will make the playoffs
First Round
Series A – #1 seed vs. #8 seed
Series B – #2 seed vs. #7 seed
Series C – #3 seed vs. #6 seed
Series D – #4 seed vs. #5 seed
(All series are best-of three)
Semi-Finals
The four teams that advance from the first round will play each other based on original playoff seeding, with the highest-seeded team playing the lowest and the remaining teams playing each other. Both series are best-of-five.
President’s Cup Finals
The four remaining teams will meet in the best-of-five President’s Cup Final.
About the SPHL
Now in its 22nd season, the SPHL comprises 11 member teams located throughout the southeastern and midwestern United States. Headquartered in Huntersville, North Carolina, the SPHL’s mission is to provide high-quality, familyfriendly entertainment structured within an economic model that is viable for small and mid-sized markets and arenas.
ABOUT The Knoxville Ice Bears: The Knoxville Ice Bears organization began in 2002 and was an inaugural charter member of the Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL) in 2004. As four-time SPHL Champions and five-time regular season champions, the Ice Bears are an experienced and established organization, offering the city and its visitors a balanced product of highlight-reel hockey, unique and exciting intermission activity and endless fan interaction, presenting the most affordable, family-friendly way to enjoy sports and entertainment. Season, Partial Season and Flex Tickets are now on sale. For more information, visit www.knoxvilleicebears.com or call (865) 525-7825.
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