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Mon 16 Mar 2026 - 06:00AM

BUILD-UP BEGINS: IT'S CUP FINAL WEEK!

BUILD-UP BEGINS: IT'S CUP FINAL WEEK! Top Image

The build-up is well and truly under way for the 2026 Challenge Cup Final as Nottingham Panthers face Coventry Blaze for the first domestic silverware of the season.

The two Midlands rivals meet at the Motorpoint Arena (19:30 face-off) for the first time in a final since the 2016 playoffs, which saw Panthers beat the Blaze 2-0 thanks to goals from Stephen Schultz and Kevin Quick.

It's a sell-out on Wednesday but you will be able to follow the game on Premier Sports or via the Elite League TV webcast.

Aaron Murphy and former Panthers player and coach Paul Adey will bring you all the action with the build-up starting at 19:00.

Panthers won the Challenge Cup in the Elite League's inaugural season of 2003-04 as Kim Ahlroos scored an overtime winner in a 3-2 victory on the road at Sheffield Steelers to secure a 4-3 two-legged success.

In 2007-08, Panthers beat Steelers 9-7 over two legs to win the cup again. A victory set-up thanks to a Kevin Bergin hat-trick in a 6-3 victory in the first leg in Sheffield.

Panthers then won the Challenge Cup a remarkable five times in a row, which started with a 8-7 aggregate victory over Cardif Devils in 2010.

Success was secured in 2011 with a 4-3 aggregate victory over Belfast and in 2012 the Giants were ruthlessly disposed of 10-4 over two legs.

Panthers won the league, playoffs and Challenge Cup in 2012-13 and cup success was secured with a 5-3 victory over Sheffield.

The 2014 Challenge Cup Final win over Belfast was a dramatic success as Panthers lost the first leg 5-2 in Northen Ireland. The second leg in Nottingham went to a shootout as Petr Kalus scored the winner to secure a 7-6 aggregate success.

By 2016 the Challenge Cup Final had become a one-off affair and Evan Mosey scored the overtime winner - and Miika Wiikman secured a 15-shot shutout - as Panthers beat Cardiff 1-0 in the Sheffield Arena. Click below to watch the winning moment.

It's all set up to be a huge night in the season as we look to win the first domestic silverware of the season.