PLAYER GUIDE
How to Join an EASHL 6v6 League in NHL 26
EASHL 6v6 — “6s” — is the closest a video game gets to real team hockey: full teams, human goalies, and a season on the line. Here’s exactly how to find a competitive league, sign up, and get on a team for the current NHL 26 season.
A competitive EASHL 6v6 league turns drop-in club games into an organized season — drafted rosters, a real schedule, standings, playoffs, and tracked stats. Instead of random teammates and no stakes, you get a team that stays together all season and games that actually mean something. New to the terms? Read what EASHL, CHEL, and 6s mean.
Step by step: how to join
- 1
Get NHL 26 and learn EASHL 6v6
You need EA SPORTS NHL 26 on PlayStation or Xbox and access to the World of Chel / EASHL club mode. In 6v6 (also called "6s") every position — including the goalie — is a real person, so it plays like true team hockey rather than 3v3 arcade.
- 2
Pick a league that fits how you want to play
Look for a league with a clear season structure, balanced team-building (an auction or snake draft keeps teams fair regardless of skill), automatic stat tracking pulled from EA’s servers, and an active community. Make sure it runs the current NHL 26 season, not an older title, and that it supports your platform.
- 3
Join the league’s Discord
Almost every competitive EASHL league is organized through Discord — that is where signups, schedules, draft announcements, and game coordination happen. Join the server before a new season opens so you don’t miss registration.
- 4
Sign up and complete any combine or scouting step
Fill out the signup form with your gamertag/PSN, preferred position, and availability. Many leagues run a scouting combine so managers can evaluate new players before the draft — this is how first-time members get placed on balanced teams.
- 5
Get drafted onto a team
In a draft-based league, team managers select or bid on you during a live draft. You don’t need to bring friends or build a club yourself — the draft puts you on a roster and gives you teammates for the whole season.
- 6
Play your season
Play your scheduled regular-season games with your team, climb the standings, and push for the playoffs. Good leagues track every stat per game and per season, run awards races, and broadcast featured games live.
Play the current NHL 26 season
NHL 26 brings a reworked World of Chel — new loadouts, refreshed X-Factors, and NHL EDGE-driven gameplay. The best time to join a league is at the start of a season, on the current game, with a community that runs live drafts and broadcasts every week. Rink Rivals runs full NHL 26 EASHL 6v6 seasons with a live auction draft, weekly games, best-of-7 playoffs, and every stat tracked from EA’s servers.
EASHL league FAQ
Do I need my own team or friends to join an EASHL 6v6 league?
No. In a draft-based league you sign up as an individual and get placed on a team through the draft. You’ll have teammates for the whole season without having to recruit anyone yourself.
What skill level do I need to join?
Most well-run leagues welcome all skill levels and use an auction or tiered draft to keep teams balanced, so newer players aren’t stacked against veterans. If you can play EASHL club games, you can join.
Do EASHL leagues cost money?
Joining a competitive EASHL league is typically free — you just need NHL 26 and the time to play your team’s scheduled games each week.
PlayStation or Xbox — does it matter?
It depends on the league. Look for one that supports your platform. Rink Rivals runs NHL 26 EASHL 6v6 seasons and welcomes players on both PlayStation and Xbox.
How do I join Rink Rivals specifically?
Join the Discord at discord.gg/rinkrivals and follow the signup instructions. Registration opens before each season, all skill levels are welcome, and the auction draft keeps every team balanced.