Euro Hockey League chiefs have put plans to reinvigorate the continental club showpiece on hold for the 2022/23 season.
The EHL had revealed to clubs a proposal from Origin Sports Group, the events management specialists, which would breathe further life into the European club competition.
It includes plans to host midweek matches, with more revenue for clubs and prize money, with Origin underwriting an expanded competition over a minimum term of seven years.
However, the EHL board has decided to delay any announcement in a bid to give more time to align commercial partnerships.
It means that the 2022/23 edition of the EHL will consist of two knock-out tournaments on the men’s side and one knock-out tournament on the women’s side:
EHL KO16 Men (teams ranked 5-20), Sep 30 to Oc 2, 2022
EHL FINAL8 Men Easter 2023
EHL FINAL8 Women Easter 2023
The season will begin in late September 2022 with a men’s KO16 event.
This will be followed by the EHL FINAL8 for men and women which will be held together at Easter 2023. For each event, the venue is to be confirmed.
A statement read: “The EHL Board is working on a plan to grow the EHL in terms of participation, broadcast profile and fan engagement. It is the Board’s ambition to come forward with the definitive new format for the 2023/24 season.”
