Lada Togliatti may spend the 2026/27 season in the VHL (Vysshaya Hockey League) due to financial difficulties, according to Sport-Express journalist Arthur Khairullin.
The club finished 10th in the Western Conference standings during the 2025/26 KHL regular season, amassing 47 points in 68 games of the Fonbet KHL Championship.
“As per my information, Lada could play the next season in the VHL because of financial problems,” Khairullin wrote.
The reporter also noted that “Polyplast” is unlikely to maintain previous levels of funding for the team, fueling speculation that the club may be forced to drop down a division. Lada’s potential demotion would mark a significant shift, as the team has been a regular participant in the KHL in recent seasons. The club’s financial struggles have been a recurring topic, with local authorities and sponsors facing economic pressures. If confirmed, the move would see Lada compete in Russia’s second-tier hockey league starting from the 2026/27 campaign.
