The wait is nearly over. In just a few days, the puck will drop on the 2025/26 Scottish National League (SNL) season, and anticipation is building across rinks up and down the country. With returning champions eager to defend their titles, rivals looking to climb the table, and two new teams entering the mix, this year promises to be the biggest and most competitive season yet.
A Growing League
The headline news this summer has been the addition of two new sides: the Whitley Warriors and Solway Sharks SNL. Their arrival takes the league to nine teams and strengthens Scottish Ice Hockey’s reputation as a growing force in the sport.
Whitley, a historic club with a loyal following, made their move north of the border early in the off-season. The Warriors are far from strangers to Scottish competition, having faced SNL teams in pre-season match-ups and taken part in the Northern League a couple of seasons ago. Their decision to step into the SNL from the NIHL is a mark of how far the league has come – both in standard of play and in reputation.
Solway Sharks SNL, meanwhile, are a newly formed team based in Dumfries. Already home to a thriving junior programme and a successful NIHL side, the Sharks now offer a complete development pathway for players in the region. Their SNL squad will give emerging talent a platform to develop against senior competition, while strengthening ties between grassroots and elite hockey.
Looking Back, Moving Forward
Last season underlined just how unpredictable Scottish hockey can be. The Dundee Rockets, in their debut campaign, stormed to both the league and Scottish Cup titles – an impressive double that grabbed attention across the country. Aberdeen Lynx added to their recent run of silverware with the Playoff crown, while Edinburgh Capitals, Kirkcaldy Kestrels, and Paisley Pirates all showed they could challenge for titles. North Ayrshire Wild and Kilmarnock Thunder endured tougher campaigns but will be aiming to turn the corner this year.
But the slate is clean for 25/26. Rosters have shuffled, coaches have moved on, and fresh talent is breaking through. Every team starts from zero, and form doesn’t always carry over. With Whitley Warriors stepping in as an established name and Solway Sharks SNL building a new pathway side, the picture is even harder to predict. What is certain is that competition will be fierce from the opening face-off.
Pre-Season Glimpses
Pre-season results have provided a taste of the action ahead, though they rarely tell the full story. Edinburgh Capitals took a convincing 6–1 win over Paisley Pirates in a friendly, while Kirkcaldy Kestrels also saw off the Pirates with a 4–1 victory. Solway Sharks SNL tested themselves against Billingham Stars, narrowly losing out in a 5–4 thriller. These results hint at competitive hockey to come, but the real tests start this weekend.
Opening Weekend Fixtures
The season gets underway this weekend with three fixtures on the schedule.
WEEK 1 FIXTURES
| Date | Game | Time/Results | League | Arena |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kilmarnock Thunder vs North Ayrshire Wild | 3 - 12 | SNL | Kilmarnock | |
| Kirkcaldy Kestrels vs Paisley Pirates | 1 - 3 | SNL | Fife | |
| Aberdeen Lynx vs Whitley Warriors | 3 - 6 | SNL | Aberdeen |
All eyes will be on Aberdeen, where Whitley make their long-awaited SNL debut. The Warriors will be keen to show they belong, but the Lynx, backed by a packed Linx Ice Arena, will be determined to start strong.
A Season to Anticipate
The SNL is growing, the competition is fiercer than ever, and fans across Scotland are in for another season of fast, physical, and unpredictable hockey.
