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ECHL Collective Bargaining Agreement Negotiations with the Professional Hockey Players' Association

ECHL Collective Bargaining Agreement Negotiations with the Professional Hockey Players' Association

Overview

The ECHL is proud of our teams – and especially the players – who work hard to put a fun, competitive, and entertaining product on the ice and give back to the communities we serve. Our league prides itself on our ability to deliver high-level competition and provide affordable entertainment in our communities – with an average ticket price across the league of approximately $21.

As we continue to negotiate a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) with the Professional Hockey Players’ Association (PHPA), our goal continues to be reaching an agreement that increases player compensation, improves health and safety, and delivers on new initiatives that are responsive to our players to support them on and off the ice.

Our approach will continue to balance the need to best support our players and maintain a sustainable business model that helps ensure the long-term success of our league so it remains affordable and accessible to fans. Below is the most up-to-date information on negotiations and our latest proposals.

A Quick Look at Our Offer

An immediate 16.4% increase to the salary cap for this season – to be paid retroactively from the start of the season (which would be paid upon ratification).
- Additional salary cap increases in future years, which would increase total player salaries nearly 27% from the current cap.

In addition to player salaries, the ECHL will continue to cover 100 percent of player costs for:
- Fully furnished housing
- Utility and internet costs
- Medical and dental benefits

We have also made several proposals aimed at improving health and safety, including:
- Requirements for mandatory days off
- Addressing travel between back-to-back games
- Modifying holiday and mid-season breaks

Enable every team to provide custom sticks and enable all players to choose an alternate 5-Star rated helmet from the Virginia Tech Helmet Study.

Increase per diems (reimbursements for meals while traveling) to $60 this year, as well as future increases that will raise it by 24.5 percent from the current rate.

Where Things Stand Today

In late December 2025, the PHPA informed its players that it could force players to stop work as early as December 26, 2025

This work stoppage would result in at least some games being postponed for the 2025-2026 ECHL season, and have a significant impact on the players who would stop getting paid, and lose housing and medical benefits – something the ECHL leadership wants to avoid

We believe the players would much prefer to continue playing and supporting the fans and communities we serve while we work through negotiations

How We Got Here

The current CBA expired this past June, and due to circumstances out of either party’s control, including changes at the PHPA, negotiations began later than in the past

Negotiations have been progressing, but not as quickly as we would like. We have reached a number of tentative agreements and remain focused on reaching a comprehensive new agreement that supports our players and the long-term health of every team in our league

Additional Background On the ECHL’s Proposal

We want to make sure that players and fans can see the offer we have presented to the PHPA, and in addition to the highlights shared above, the following information details additional provisions that will strengthen the competitive pay and benefits we offer for our players and ensure we can continue to put a sustainable and entertaining product forward that remains accessible to our fans.

Days-Off / 3-in-3

Each team will be required to provide a Mandatory Day Off each week. No more than 7 days may pass between Mandatory Days off, subject to game rescheduling. If a change to the schedule occurs after its initial release, then the PHPA and League will meet to discuss a reasonable change to the schedule. If no other option exists, then the time for the Mandatory Day Off can be within 9 days.

Teams may provide additional days off at their discretion.

After a 3-in-3, a Mandatory Day Off must occur the next day, unless travelling, in which case it will occur the following day. Additionally, after a 3-in-3, an additional day of no mandatory physical activity will be provided in the 7-day period following the 3-in-3.

Travel To Games

Travel: There shall be a 325-mile limit for travel between back-to-back games (i.e. games that occur on consecutive days) during the Regular Season, with the exception that each Member shall be permitted to travel up to 400 miles for back-to-back games up to two (2) times per Regular Season.

Holiday Breaks

2025-26 – December 22 to December 25 – 4 Days

2026-27 – December 21 to December 25 – 5 Days

2027-28 – December 22 to December 26 – 5 Days; Travel may be required on December 26.

2028-29 – December 24 to December 27 – 4 Days; Travel may be required on December 27.

2029-30 – December 23 to December 26 – 4 Days; Travel may be required on December 26.

Additional Player Benefit Increases