ECL ’26: Winter – 1v1 | Signups Now Open

Compete for the European Championship in 1v1

The European Championship League (ECL) is the highest level of structured NHL competition in Europe — and ECL 1v1 is where individual skill is put to the ultimate test. No teammates. No excuses. Just you, your opponent, and a season-long battle for the European Championship title in 1v1.
 

Two ways to compete in ECL 1v1 - Go for glory, or chill!

For the Winter season, ECL 1v1 is split into two clearly defined competitions, so players can choose the experience that fits them best.

1) ECL ’26: Winter – 1v1 Championship 🏆

This is the official European Championship League 1v1 competition.
    •    Structured group stage
    •    Playoffs for the top performers
    •    Prize pool on the line
    •    Clear commitment expectations

This is the path for players who want to compete at the highest 1v1 level and play for results that carry real weight.

Key Dates
    •    Sign-up deadline: January 17, 23:59 CET
    •    Group Stage: January 20 – February 9
    •    Playoffs: Starting February 13 (end date TBA)
 

 Winter Season Prize Pool

The ECL ’26: Winter Prize Pool is calculated as a fixed percentage of the net season revenue. For more information on how the prize pool is formed, please refer to this article.

• 🥇 1st place: 436.59 €
• 🥈 2nd place: 210.21 €
• 🥉 Semifinalists: 80.85 € each

These figures reflect the prize pool status at the time of writing. Any late license purchases will continue to contribute to the total prize pool, with final amounts confirmed after the season concludes.

Think you’ve got what it takes? Then sign up, suit up, and we'll see you on the ice!

2) ECL ’26: Winter – 1v1 Chill 🥳

Not everyone is looking for high-stakes competition — and that’s fine.

ECL 1v1 Chill offers:
    •    A more relaxed competitive environment
    •    Structured matches without pressure
    •    No prize pool
    •    No championship implications

This is ideal for players who:
    •    Want structured 1v1 games
    •    Prefer lower intensity
    •    Or are still developing their competitive level

⚠️ To protect the integrity of the Chill environment, League Administration may review sign-ups and deny entry to players deemed too skilled for the Chill competition.

Commitment & competitive integrity

ECL 1v1 — especially the Championship competition — relies heavily on player commitment.
Every player’s participation directly affects the standings and competitive balance.

⚠️ By signing up, players confirm their intent to complete the season.
Exceptional circumstances can always be discussed with League Administration, but leaving mid-season without a valid reason carries clear competitive consequences.

Commitment rules for ECL 1v1

To protect the competitive integrity of ECL 1v1 — especially the Championship competition — the following rules apply:

Mid-season withdrawals

• Players who withdraw or are removed mid-season will remain visible in the standings
• All matches of a withdrawing player will be recorded as 5-0 losses
  • Players who have finished more than 80% of their matches keep their played results.

This ensures complete standings and prevents competitive distortion caused by incomplete schedules.

Eligibility for future ECL 1v1 seasons

• First mid-season withdrawal
  • Player becomes ineligible to register for the following ECL 1v1 season
• Repeated withdrawals
  • Longer exclusion periods may apply
  • Eligibility reviewed on a case-by-case basis

Exceptional circumstances can always be discussed with League Administration.

Accepted Licenses for the ECL '26: 1v1 Winter Season:

The following licenses are accepted for ECL ’26: Winter – 1v1 (Championship and Chill):

• ECL ’26: Full Year Player License
• ECL ’26: Winter Player License
• ECL ’25: Spring – Player License
• ECL ’25: Full Year Player License

Whether you’re chasing a European title or looking for structured, stress-free 1v1 games, ECL ’26: Winter has a place for you.

Signups are now open — choose your path and we’ll see you on the ice.