KHL to raise salary cap by 50 million rubles

The Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) plans to increase the salary cap by 50 million rubles in 2026. This was announced on April 7 on the league's website.

It is specified that in the 2025/2026 season, only half will grow — it will be raised by 25 million, reaching 475 million rubles.

"The 2026/2027 season: raising the ceiling by 50 million rubles to 950 million rubles, raising the floor by 50 million rubles to 525 million rubles. The 2027/2028 season: raising the ceiling by 50 million rubles to 1 billion rubles, raising the floor by 75 million rubles to 600 million rubles," the publication says.

In addition, the changes will affect bonus payments, which will not be included in the salary cap. For example, the club will be able to pay players up to 50 million rubles for reaching the second stage of the playoffs, an additional 75 million rubles for reaching the semifinals, and up to 150 million rubles for reaching the finals. At the same time, clubs will not be limited in the amount of bonuses for winning the Gagarin Cup.

On April 2, Igor Balynin, an associate professor at the Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation, told us in which areas salaries have increased the most. According to him, income growth was noted in the areas of car manufacturing (+25.3%) and wood processing (+23.9%).