The 2026/27 season is almost here, and Coventry NIHL Blaze get their pre-season campaign underway this weekend with a double-header against Peterborough Phantoms 2.

The Blaze will welcome Peterborough to the Skydome Arena on Saturday 5th September, with the puck dropping at 6:30pm, before making the trip to Peterborough on Sunday 6th September for the return fixture, also at 6:30pm.

After an impressive 2025/26 campaign with all of the injuries, it saw Coventry finish third in NIHL 2 North. The Blaze will be looking to build on that success as they prepare for another push towards the top of the division.

With a mixture of returning players, new additions and exciting young talent, the weekend provides the first opportunity to see how the squad is coming together. Pre-season is about finding combinations, building fitness and putting systems into practice, but there will undoubtedly be plenty of competition for places as players look to make an early impression.

All 28 signed players will ice over the weekend, with every player playing at least one of the fixtures. This means it will give NIHL Blaze debuts to; Brodey Butlin, Jack Bickley, Liam Bartholomew, Logan Johnson, Finnley Wall, Rhys Potts and Archie Hollyhead.

Peterborough Phantoms 2 will provide a strong opening test. As the development side of the wider Peterborough Phantoms organisation, they offer a blend of developing young players and senior experience.

Last season, Peterborough finished second in NIHL2 South, with 19 wins from 22 league matches, finishing on 57 points. They would however, go on to win the South Cup, with former NIHL Blaze player Connor Mellett being part of that trophy winning squad.

With two games in two days, both sides will have the chance to test their depth, rotate their line-ups and assess what needs to be worked on before competitive hockey begins on the 12th of September.

For the NIHL Blaze, it's the first step on the road to the new season - and after coming so close to further success last year, they'll be hoping to start 2026/27 in style.

We will see you at the Skydome on Saturday for an 18:30 faceoff. And then at Planet Ice Peterborough on Sunday, an 18:30 faceoff there as well. All tickets are priced at £5 for the home fixture, with card and cash options on the door.