League position and verified status
Maxa liga is Czechia’s official second senior level below Tipsport Extraliga. The 2026/27 participant list confirms 14 teams.
2026/27 competition format
The official competition system states that 14 teams play a four-fold round robin of 52 games. Teams 7–10 enter the pre-playoff; the top six and two pre-playoff winners continue to the main playoffs.
Clubs and choosing a target
Do not send the same message to every club. Check the current roster, authorised sporting contact, location and whether the team needs the player’s position. A league page narrows the market; it does not prove a vacancy.
What clubs assess
Clubs assess skating and pace, decisions under pressure, a defined role, recent verified statistics, full-game or full-shift video, contract status, citizenship and administrative readiness.
Roster and foreign-player rules
The published technical standard states a maximum of six foreign players in a Maxa liga game. Eligibility is still more than a number: the contract, domestic registration, player list, IIHF transfer where applicable and immigration status must all be valid.
Recruitment timing and tryouts
There is no single public recruiting window for imports. Many decisions are made before the season, while in-season openings are targeted. Approach clubs for a defined position and do not pay for travel without a written invitation and terms.
Contract, pay and housing
There is no official universal salary table for every club. Put gross/net pay, payment dates, bonuses, housing, deposit, utilities, food, travel, equipment, insurance, injury, trial period, termination and return travel in writing.
Residence and right to work
EU/EEA and third-country citizens face different immigration and employment procedures. A sporting offer is not itself a visa or work permission. The club and player must verify the applicable official route before travel.
IIHF transfer, registration and insurance
A move between national associations follows the current IIHF regulations. An ITC does not replace domestic registration, a contract, insurance or immigration permission. Confirm who starts the transfer and pays every fee before travel.
Player application package
Prepare passport and any second citizenship; birth year, position, shot, height and weight; current team and verified statistics; Elite Prospects or federation profile; role-based highlights and a recent full game; contract status, release and exact availability.
EHA editorial assessment: Maxa liga as a bridge, not a shortcut
Maxa liga can be a useful bridge for a player who needs senior minutes, a clearer role or a Czech reference season. The question is not simply whether the level is lower than Extraliga. It is whether the club can give the player the minutes, special-teams responsibility and coaching environment that make the next move more credible.
Before contacting a club, define the proof you want to collect in one season: faceoff responsibility, penalty-kill work, transition numbers, goalie workload or a stable top-four role. That turns a vague request for an opportunity into a development plan. A foreign player also needs to clarify housing, registration and the path to a higher team before travelling; a promise of a tryout is not the same as a written role.
Official sources and FAQ
- Maxa liga participants 2026/27 ↗
- Maxa liga competition system ↗
- Maxa liga technical standard ↗
- Czech residence information ↗
- IIHF rules and transfers ↗
Verified: 31 July 2026.
How many teams play in 2026/27?
Fourteen.
How many regular-season games does each team play?
Fifty-two.
What is the published game limit for foreign players?
A maximum of six, subject to all other eligibility requirements.
Is an IIHF transfer required?
Yes when the player moves between national associations.
Get a league assessment
Send your profile, statistics, full game, citizenship and contract status. EHA will assess whether the level is realistic and identify a next step without promising a contract.
Get assessed for Maxa liga