Could this be the breakthrough year in European hockey for an English men’s club side?
Following the draw for next Easter’s club showpiece, there is the tantalising thought that a British club could reach the Euro Hockey League final for the first time. Reading reached the final of the old EuroHockey Club Champions Cup in 2005, having broken a barren 23-year spell for English sides by winning the event in 2003.
Next April, English champions Surbiton have been pitted against Club de Campo de Madrid, while Old Georgians will take on reigning champions Gantoise. Both ties will of course be no easy feat, but should they prevail then the English sides will meet each other in the Final4.
Other last eight matches feature two Dutch-German battles on the left side of the draw. AH&BC Amsterdam are up against KO16 qualifiers Hamburger Polo Club with the winner of that contest going on to face either SV Kampong or Crefelder HTC.
In the women’s competition, Irish champions Railway Union will be up against Scottish newcomers Watsonian Hockey Club in the FINAL12 with the winner going on to face the hosts and reigning champions HC ’s-Hertogenbosch.
The next section of the draw sees last year’s bronze medalists Gantoise begin their campaign against SK Slavia Prague. The victor from that game will play Spanish top side Club de Campo de Madrid.
On the other side of the draw, English debutantes Reading will be up against 2024 finalists Mannheimer HC. Waiting for them in the FINAL8 is German champions Harvestehuder THC.
And the final quadrant of the draw sees Dutch side SCHC up against Spanish Copa de la Reina winners Club Egara in the FINAL12 phase. Whoever wins that will go through to meet the Belgian champions and last year’s silver medalists Braxgata.
The ABN AMRO 2026 EHL FINALS will be held at HC ’s-Hertogenbosch from April 1-6, with the club set to host the world’s best club competition for the second successive season.
“We are delighted to return for a second time to Den Bosch,” said EHL chairman Peter Elders. “We were so impressed by their hosting along with the sponsorship of Brabant Sport which created such a special atmosphere last Easter. We are very happy to return to the club and work together once again.”
Beyond the elite hockey, the event is a celebration of all forms of hockey including the ABN AMRO-sponsored Hockey ID championship, EHL Under 14, Walking Hockey and Hockey 5s competitions.
