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Kontinental Hockey League

The Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) is an international professional ice hockey league founded in 2008 and based in Eurasia.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) is an international professional ice hockey league founded in 2008 and based in Eurasia. It is widely described as the top-level professional hockey league in Russia and includes clubs from Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and China. The league’s playoff champion receives the Gagarin Cup.

History

The KHL was created in 2008, with the Russian Superleague as its predecessor. It was established as a multinational professional league spanning several Eurasian countries.

Competition format

The league operates a regular season followed by playoffs. The postseason champion is awarded the Gagarin Cup.

Membership and geography

The KHL is primarily Russian, but also includes clubs from Belarus, Kazakhstan, and China. Its footprint makes it one of the most geographically diverse major hockey leagues.

Status in world hockey

The KHL is commonly described as one of the top hockey leagues outside the National Hockey League. Sources in multiple languages characterize it as a leading league in Europe and Asia.

Key facts

  • The KHL was founded in 2008 as an international professional ice hockey league.
  • For the 2025–26 season, it has 22 clubs: 19 from Russia, and one each from Belarus, Kazakhstan, and China.
  • The league is commonly regarded as one of the strongest ice hockey leagues in Europe and Asia.
  • The KHL’s postseason winner receives the Gagarin Cup.
  • It replaced the Russian Superleague as the top-tier Russian hockey competition.
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Canadian context

Canadian readers may know the KHL as one of the major professional ice hockey leagues outside North America and as a destination for some Canadian players and coaches.

Frequently asked questions

What does KHL stand for?
KHL stands for Kontinental Hockey League.
When was the KHL founded?
The KHL was founded in 2008.
How many teams are in the KHL?
For the 2025–26 season, the KHL has 22 clubs.
Which countries have KHL teams?
The 2025–26 KHL includes teams from Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and China.
What trophy does the KHL champion win?
The KHL playoff champion wins the Gagarin Cup.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kontinental_Hockey_League
    Supports: Founded in 2008; international professional ice hockey league; 2025–26 membership countries and club count.
  2. Wikipedia — https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kontinentale_Hockey-Liga
    Supports: League name, founding year, role as top Russian hockey league, and Gagarin Cup.
  3. Wikipedia — https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/KHL
    Supports: Membership countries and 22-club 2025–26 season figure.
  4. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All-Russian_Hockey_League
    Supports: Context that the KHL is the top tier of Russian ice hockey and independent from the Russian Ice Hockey Federation.