This article outlines the comprehensive pre-season preparations for teams in the Kharlamov Division of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) as they gear up for the 2025/2026 Fonbet KHL Championship. Get ready for an exciting look into their training camps, medical examinations, and exhibition match schedules.
Avtomobilist
Avtomobilist from Yekaterinburg will commence ice training at UGMK Arena on August 1st, following medical examinations in late July. The team will conduct all its training at home. For their game schedule, Avtomobilist is set to play two exhibition matches against Salavat Yulaev and participate in the Puchkov Tournament in Saint Petersburg.
Pre-Season Schedule:
- July 29-31: In-depth medical examinations.
- August: Training sessions in Yekaterinburg.
- August 18-19: Exhibition games against Salavat Yulaev in Ufa.
- August 26-29: Participation in the Puchkov Tournament in Saint Petersburg.
Ak Bars
Anvar Gatiyatulin`s Ak Bars squad will conduct their training camps at the club`s base in Kazan. The `Snow Leopards` have also scheduled five exhibition matches and participation in the Puchkov Tournament in Saint Petersburg. Players will return from vacation in late July for medical check-ups, with the main training process beginning on August 3rd.
Pre-Season Schedule:
- July 31 – August 2: In-depth medical examinations.
- August 3-5: Training in Kazan.
- August 6: Exhibition game vs. Neftyanik in Almetyevsk.
- August 7-13: Training in Kazan.
- August 14: Exhibition game vs. Neftekhimik in Kazan.
- August 15-18: Training in Kazan.
- August 19: Exhibition game vs. Lada in Togliatti.
- August 22: Exhibition game vs. Dynamo Moscow in Moscow.
- August 25-26: Participation in the Puchkov Tournament in Saint Petersburg.
- August 28-29: Training in Kazan.
- August 30: Exhibition game vs. Neftekhimik in Nizhnekamsk.
Metallurg
Metallurg Magnitogorsk has a two-week development camp for young players scheduled for July. The main squad will return from vacation in August for a week of preparation at home. Following this, Metallurg will travel to Minsk, Belarus, to compete in the Fonbet Minsk Cup. On August 21st, the team will return to Magnitogorsk for the final phase of their preparation, which includes participation in the Romazan Memorial Tournament.
Pre-Season Schedule:
- July 15-29: Young player development camp.
- August 1-7: Training in Magnitogorsk.
- August 8-17: Training camp and pre-season tournament (Fonbet Minsk Cup) in Minsk.
- August 21-25: Training in Magnitogorsk.
- August 26-29: Romazan Memorial Tournament.
- August 30 – September 5: Training in Magnitogorsk.
Neftekhimik
For Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk, players with two-way contracts will be the first to return from their break, attending a training camp and playing an exhibition match against HC Chelny. The main team is scheduled to begin their season preparations on August 1st, including exhibition games against Izhstal and Ak Bars, and participation in the Blinov Cup in Omsk.
Pre-Season Schedule:
- July 19-27: Training camp for players with two-way contracts.
- July 27: Exhibition game vs. HC Chelny in Nizhnekamsk.
- July 30-31: Medical examination for the first team players.
- August 1-13: Training camp in Nizhnekamsk.
- August 14: Exhibition game vs. Ak Bars in Kazan.
- August 15-17: Training camp in Nizhnekamsk.
- August 18: Exhibition game vs. Izhstal in Nizhnekamsk.
- August 21-25: Participation in the Blinov Cup in Omsk.
- August 27-29: Training camp in Nizhnekamsk.
- August 30: Exhibition game vs. Ak Bars in Nizhnekamsk.
- August 31 – September 5: Training camp in Nizhnekamsk.
Traktor
Last season`s finalist, Traktor Chelyabinsk, will be the last team in the Kharlamov Division to return from their break, with medical examinations scheduled for August 9th. Their pre-season will then include a home training camp and participation in the Chelyabinsk Region Governor`s Cup.
Pre-Season Schedule:
- August 9: Medical examination.
- August 11-24: Training camp in Chelyabinsk.
- August 25-29: Chelyabinsk Region Governor`s Cup 2025.
- August 30 – September 4: Preparation for the start of the regular season in Chelyabinsk.
Gareth Tenby