German ice hockey has its highest professional competition in the Deutsche Eishockey Liga, better known as the DEL. Founded in 1994, the league features 14 clubs, each with 52 regular-season matches against domestic opponents. Every team faces each rival four times, twice at home and twice away, before the playoffs begin.
Eisbären Berlin holds the record for the most DEL championships and has a particularly successful history in the playoffs. Other prominent clubs include Adler Mannheim, Kölner Haie, ERC Ingolstadt and EHC Red Bull München. These teams attract large crowds, while local rivalries add extra interest to the regular-season calendar. The league also provides opportunities for German players alongside experienced international professionals from established ice hockey nations.
The DEL uses a three-point system, with full points awarded for victory in regulation time. An overtime or shootout victory earns two points, while the defeated team receives one point. The top six clubs qualify directly for the playoff quarterfinals, while teams placed seventh through tenth contest the preliminary round. From the quarterfinals onward, each playoff series follows a best-of-seven format to decide which club advances.
Ice hockey fans can explore the best live betting sites Germany has available to compare DEL odds and welcome bonuses. Match winner, total goals and live betting markets provide several options for the next round of league action.