2013/14 Elite League fixtures announced

The 2013-14 Rapid Solicitors Elite League fixtures have been revealed and sees no change in regards to the format of 2012-13, with teams split into the Erhardt and Gardiner Conferences

Each side will play teams in their own Conference eight times (four at home and four away), while they meet sides in the opposing Conference four times (two at home and two away).

The Challenge Cup will be split into the usual two groups of five, with two-legged quarter-finals, semi-finals and final to follow the group stages.

Challenge Cup Group A consists of Belfast Giants, Braehead Clan, Dundee Stars, Edinburgh Capitals and Fife Flyers.

Group B is made up of Cardiff Devils, Coventry Blaze, Hull Stingrays, Nottingham Panthers and Sheffield Steelers.

The final weekend of the regular season will be the 22nd and 23rd March 2014, with the play-offs commencing the following weekend.

Play-off finals weekend will take place at the National Ice Centre in Nottingham on Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th April 2014.

The opening weekend of the season sees Elite League champions Nottingham Panthers begin the defence of their title with a match at home to Hull Stingrays (also Challenge Cup) on Saturday 7th September 2013.

Meanwhile on the same night, Belfast Giants host Edinburgh Capitals (League & Challenge Cup), Braehead Clan play Dundee Stars (League & Challenge Cup), Coventry Blaze entertain Sheffield Steelers (Challenge Cup) and Fife Flyers are at home to Cardiff Devils (League).

The following night Cardiff host Belfast (League), Dundee are at home Coventry (League), Edinburgh play Fife (Challenge Cup), Hull take on Braehead (League), while local rivals Sheffield and Nottingham go head to head at the Motorpoint Arena (Challenge Cup).

A full list of fixtures can be found right here on the official Elite League website.