Four Game Days of the Champions Hockey League down, each of the 32 participating teams have now returned home and are ready for the start of their own domestic seasons.

While the winners of this season's CHL will automatically qualify for next year's competition, the other 31 teams will only be able to earn their place by being among their countries' top performers over 2019/20. 

Austria

The EBEL begins this Friday with 11 teams. The first stage of the league will see teams battling to finish in the top five for automatic playoff qualification - the team that comes first here will qualify for the CHL. The Top 5 then play for playoff seeding, where again the top-placed team will qualify for the CHL, while the other six battle for three more places in the Playoffs.

Czech Republic

Hockey in the Czech Republic's top flight returns tonight with the season opener seeing CHL Semi-Finalists HC Pilsen visiting 2017 Finalists Sparta Prague. 10 more teams begin on Friday, while Mountfield and Liberec, both involved in this season's CHL meet on Saturday. It's a straight battle for the Regular Season title, while the Top 6 make the playoffs automatically. Teams placed 7-10 have a 'Play-In Round' for the post-season, while the bottom four teams will need to fight off relegation.

Finland

Finland's season opener is also tonight, pitting defending champions HPK against Kärpät Oulu, while the remaining 13 teams get under way the following night. The Top 6 all make the playoffs automatically, with those placed 7-10 getting a chance to win themselves a place though an additional series.

Germany

14 German teams are ready to get their new season going on a busy Friday evening. All three of the league's CHL teams had good starts, and will be hoping to take that into their own domestic seasons. Like other leagues, it's a fight for the Top Six automatic places, with the next four having the chance to make the Playoffs through an additional round.

Sweden

Seven games are scheduled across Saturday for the opening weekend of SHL action. Frölunda won a CHL and SHL double last season, and are the ones to beat going into the new campaign. The playing method is the same as many others with a Top 6 and 7-10 Play-In, but the bottom two sides then have to be wary of relegation. 

Switzerland

National League action begins on Friday with 12 all teams in action. They'll be fighting for eight playoff places, while the bottom four will enter new rounds to avoid relegation to the league below.