The crucial phase of the German U20 and U17 Young Talent Leagues is about to begin. Pre-playoff matches in both leagues start this weekend.
U20 DNL starts in pre-playoffs
The pre-playoff games are just around the corner in the top division of the German U20 Young Talent League (DNL). The first round of the best-of-three series starts on Saturday, February 28, 2026. The clubs in places five to eight in the top division main round have home advantage. The opposing teams that qualified in qualifying round 1 via places one to four must therefore play away first.
opening matchday of the U20 DNL Pre-Playoffs
February 28, 2026 | 5:00 PM | Eisbären Juniors Berlin – EC Bad Tölz
February 28, 2026 | 5:00 PM | EV Landshut ESV Kaufbeuren
February 28, 2026 | 5:00 PM | ESC Dresden – SC Bietigheim-Bissingen
February 28, 2026 | 10:45 AM | Iserlohner EC – Düsseldorfer EG
Direct qualification for the playoff quarter-finals
The clubs finishing in first through fourth place in the Top Division regular season standings have automatically qualified for the playoff quarterfinals. The Mannheim Young Eagles, the ERC Ingolstadt, Krefelder EV 81 and the Cologne Young Sharks are delighted.
pre-playdowns
The teams that finished fifth through eighth in Qualification Round 1 will also compete in the Pre-Play-Downs starting Saturday, February 28, 2026. Augsburger EV will face the Regensburg Young Bears, and the Starbulls Rosenheim They will compete against Schwenninger ERC. The two losers of the best-of-five series will then play against the top two teams in the final standings in Group B for a chance to participate in the Top Division of the 2026/2027 season.
All games in the series will be broadcast live on RED+. Results and schedules can be found at: https://deb-online.live/liga/herren/u20-dnl/
The U17 DNL also starts its pre-playoffs.
The pre-playoff games in the German U17 Young Talent League are just around the corner. The first round of the best-of-three series starts on Saturday, February 28, 2026. The teams finishing fifth through eighth in the Top Division regular season will have home-court advantage, while those finishing ninth through twelfth will play the first game away.
Opening day of the U17 pre-playoffs
February 28, 2026 | 5:45 PM | EV Landshut – EHC Nuremberg
February 28, 2026 | 5:30 PM | Düsseldorfer EG ERC Ingolstadt
February 28, 2026 | 5:00 PM | Eisbären Juniors Berlin – Augsburger EV
February 28, 2026 | 5:15 PM | ESV Kaufbeuren Starbulls Rosenheim
Direct qualification for the playoff quarter-finals and end of the season for the two bottom-placed teams.
The clubs finishing in first through fourth place in the regular season standings have automatically qualified for the playoff quarterfinals. The Mannheim Young Eagles, the Cologne Young Sharks, and the [unclear text] can qualify via direct entry. ESC Dresden and Krefelder EV 81 are delighted. For the two bottom-placed teams – Iserlohner EC and Schwenninger ERC – the season is over.
All games in the series will be broadcast live on RED+. Results and schedules can be found at: https://deb-online.live/liga/herren/u17/?divisionId=20624