League position and verified status
DEL2 is Germany’s second national professional senior level below PENNY DEL. The official 2026/27 framework confirms 14 participating clubs.
2026/27 competition format
The double round robin contains 52 regular-season rounds. The season starts on 18 September 2026 and the regular season ends on 7 March 2027. Pre-playoffs, playoffs and playdowns follow on the published calendar.
Clubs: 2025/26 season
14 clubs. Where the clubs are based in the last completed season — the reference imports use to gauge travel, market size and where a realistic vacancy is likely.
| Club | City | Arena | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Devils Weiden | Weiden | Hans-Schröpf-Arena | 2,560 |
| Düsseldorfer EG | Düsseldorf | PSD Bank Dome | 14,282 |
| EC Bad Nauheim | Bad Nauheim | Colonel Knight Stadion | 4,500 |
| EC Kassel Huskies | Kassel | Eissporthalle Kassel | 6,100 |
| EHC Freiburg | Freiburg im Breisgau | Echte Helden Arena | 3,500 |
| Eisbären Regensburg | Regensburg | Donau-Arena | 4,961 |
| Eispiraten Crimmitschau | Crimmitschau | Eisstadion im Sahnpark | 5,222 |
| ESV Kaufbeuren | Kaufbeuren | Erdgas Schwaben Arena | 3,100 |
| EV Landshut | Landshut | VR-Bank Landshut Arena | 4,448 |
| Krefeld Pinguine | Krefeld | Yayla-Arena | 8,029 |
| Lausitzer Füchse | Weißwasser | Eisstadion Weißwasser | 3,050 |
| Ravensburg Towerstars | Ravensburg | Eissporthalle Ravensburg | 3,300 |
| SC Bietigheim Steelers | Bietigheim-Bissingen | EgeTrans Arena | 4,500 |
| Starbulls Rosenheim | Rosenheim | ROFA-Stadion | 4,425 |
Verified 1 August 2026 against Wikipedia — DEL2.
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 public framework confirms the competition format, but it does not establish one simple foreign-player rule that should be applied without checking the current DEL2 regulations and the player’s status. The club must confirm eligibility and roster treatment in writing.
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: DEL2 selection is about repeatable professional habits
For DEL2, a highlight package is only the opening filter. Clubs need evidence that the player can repeat professional habits over a long schedule: arriving prepared, defending the middle, changing safely and staying effective when the role changes. The best application connects each clip with a role the club can recognise immediately.
A useful shortlist separates established DEL2 options from ambitious step-up targets. Check the club’s roster depth, affiliate pathway and import situation, then send a version of the profile that answers those questions. German paperwork is part of recruitment rather than an afterthought: contract wording, insurance, registration and the right to work should be discussed before a player books travel or pays an intermediary.
Official sources and FAQ
- DEL2 framework 2026/27 ↗
- Official DEL2 website ↗
- DEB international transfer information ↗
- Federal portal: professional athletes ↗
- IIHF rules and transfers ↗
Verified: 31 July 2026.
How many clubs play in 2026/27?
Fourteen.
How many regular-season rounds are scheduled?
Fifty-two.
Does an offer automatically permit work?
No. Immigration and employment eligibility must be confirmed separately.
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 DEL2