NIHL fixtures: Bison set for return, Lightning to face last season’s top scorer
Basingstoke Bison will make their eagerly anticipated return to competitive action when they face Romford Raiders in a fixture that doubles as both a league and cup game on the opening weekend.
Jeff Flanagan’s side took a hiatus from the National Ice Hockey League’s National League last season and will be the first side to come up against new Romford netminder Cole Ceci, who is the younger brother of NHL defenceman Cody Ceci.
Ottawa native Ceci arrived in East London having backstopped the Evansville Thunderbolts to their first-ever President’s Cup title, posting an exceptional .962 save percentage during the playoff run that earned him Most Valuable Player honours.
Playoff champions Milton Keynes Lightning will need to find a way to keep Jake Bricknell at bay at the Thunderdome following his move from Swindon Wildcats to the Bristol Pitbulls.
Bricknell finished as the division’s leading scorer last season, racking up an impressive 107 points from 57 goals and 50 assists.
Sheffield Steeldogs will host Hull Seahawks in another key fixture when the season begins on 20 September 2025, with both sides looking to build on strong campaigns from last year.
The season is scheduled to conclude on 22 March 2026, when the top eight teams will battle it out in the playoffs before Finals Weekend at the Skydome Arena in Coventry on 18-19 April.
The National Cup retains its format from last year, with teams playing five home and five away fixtures before the top four progress to home-and-away semi-finals.
With 11 teams competing and expanded import player limits now allowing four non-British trained players per roster, the 2025-26 National League campaign promises another year of twists and turns as clubs chase silverware across league, cup, and playoff competitions.
Full opening weekend fixtures:
Saturday 20 September 2025
• Swindon Wildcats vs Solway Sharks – 18:30 (League)
• Milton Keynes Lightning vs Bristol Pitbulls – 19:00 (League)
• Basingstoke Bison vs Romford Raiders – 18:30 (League/Cup)
• Sheffield Steeldogs vs Hull Seahawks – 19:00 (League/Cup)
• Leeds Knights vs Telford Tigers – 18:30 (League/Cup)
Sunday 21 September 2025
• Bristol Pitbulls vs Solway Sharks – 17:00 (League)
• Telford Tigers vs Milton Keynes Lightning – 18:00 (League/Cup)
• Hull Seahawks vs Swindon Wildcats – 17:30 (League)
• Romford Raiders vs Sheffield Steeldogs – 17:15 (League)
• Peterborough Phantoms vs Leeds Knights – 17:30 (League/Cup)