RIGA – The KHL has released the first information about the 2012/2013 season, with 26 teams set to take part in the fifth edition of Europe's leading hockey competition.

The 26 teams will be divided into two leagues with 14 teams in the Eastern Conference and the remaining 12 in the west.

Following the tragedies that unfolded prior to the beginning of last season, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl will re-enter the competition this year, alongside newcomers, Slovan Bratislava from Slovakia; HC Lev from the Czech Republic; and HC Donbass from Ukraine.

At the completion of last season, the Lev Poprad team was disbanded.

Dinamo Riga's season will begin away to HC Lev on September 6 whilst their home season opens on September 13 when they host Novosibirsk Sibir.

Dinamo Riga will participate in the Bobrov Division alongside Dinamo Moscow, Vityaz Chekhov, Donbass, SKA St. Petersburg, Lev Praha and Slovan Bratislava.

The club will play home and away against every team in the league, as well as two extra teams against a 'select' opponent, Dinamo Minsk.

The top eight teams from each conference qualify for the play-offs.