The NIHL was reorganised for the start of the 2017-18 season,[1] and South Division 1 features nine teams.

The closing of the English Premier League meant that Basingstoke Bison, Swindon Wildcats, Bracknell Bees and Peterborough Phantoms joined the division, as the NIHL came to be the second tier of British ice hockey instead of the third.

Promotion and relegation between divisions in both the north and south have been aligned, with both sides operating an automatic one up, one down system, but in year one there will be no automatic relegation from D1 South (Britton) to enable the division to return to ten teams.

Six clubs will also take part in another competition, the Autumn Trophy, which is scheduled to conclude by early December.

Group A: Basingstoke Bison, Peterborough Phantoms, Sheffield Steeldogs Group B: Bracknell Bees, Hull Pirates, Swindon Wildcats The last season featuring the old division structure was 2016-17, and finished with Chelmsford Chieftains topping the table.