On 11 February 2020, the AIHL announced the league would be adopting the international standard sixty minutes match length. Between 2013 and 2019 the AIHL ran fifty minute matches, while prior to that the league ran forty-five minute matches. The change increases the league's matches by ten minutes and standardises the period lengths to twenty minutes each. The change came into effect for the 2020 season. On 12 March 2020, the
CBR Brave announced they would be livestreaming all home matches at
Phillip Ice Skating Centre for the 2020 season. A partnership with production company Wonqy would deliver the stream. Later on 12 March 2020, AIHL commissioner, David Turik announced the 2020 season would be postponed due to the
coronavirus pandemic (
COVID-19). The AIHL Commission held consultation with the teams and took medical advice from State and Federal Governments in coming to the decision. The Commission did not release a new proposed start date for the 2020 season but will meet regularly to discuss progress and determine if there is a time period for the season to be moved to. In late July the AIHL commission's return to play committee released a public update to advise the 2020 season had been cancelled and would not go ahead. In early August, a new incorporated body was established in
Brisbane, Queensland with the mission to expand the league and secure an AIHL licence for 2022.
Exhibition games On 7 January 2020, the
Melbourne Ice and
Melbourne Mustangs co-announced the organisation of an exhibition charity match to be played between the two teams to raise money for the Victorian Bushfire Appeal. The match was scheduled for 19 January 2020 at
O’Brien Icehouse. The Ice defeated the Mustangs 5–2 in the charity match with the event raising over $50,000. On 13 January 2020, it was announced that the
South Australian ice hockey community, including the
Adelaide Adrenaline,
Adelaide Rush and
Avalanche alumni had arranged for an exhibition charity match for 9 February 2020. The match was named
The Bushfire Appeal Ice Hockey Classic with teams broken into ‘Locals’ and ‘Rest of the World’. In front of a packed out
IceArenA, the Locals came from 6–4 down in the second intermission to claim a 7-6 (OT) victory. The Locals won with a golden goal scored by Adelaide Rush player Tash Farrier in the 3v3 overtime period. The event raised $23,951 with all money going to CFS Foundation and Kangaroo Island Mayoral Relief and Recovery Bushfire Fund to assist with the
Adelaide Hills and
Kangaroo Island fire recovery effort. On 27 January 2020, the
Sydney Ice Dogs and
Sydney Bears announced they would hold a bushfire recovery appeal charity match between the two teams at
Macquarie Ice Rink on 21 February 2020. All proceeds would go to the
NSW Rural Fire Service and
Australian Red Cross. The Bears defeated the Ice Dogs 6–3 in the event. On 28 February 2020, Melbourne Mustangs announced the annual pre-season exhibition Melbourne derby involving the Mustangs and Ice would be held at the Icehouse on Saturday 4 April. On 16 March 2020, the Ice and Mustangs officially cancelled their pre-season exhibition game due to COVID-19 and the postponement of the AIHL season. On 2 March 2020, Adelaide Adrenaline announced a pre-season exhibition match against a South Australian Select team for 21 March 2020 to be held at the Adelaide IceArenA. On 15 March 2020, the Adrenaline officially cancelled their pre-season exhibition game due to COVID-19 and the postponement of the AIHL season. On 30 July 2020, one day after the cancellation of the 2020 AIHL season, the
Newcastle Northstars and Sydney Ice Dogs announced the formation of the 2020 Hawkesbury Classic exhibition series between the two teams. The four match series was originally to be held at both the
Hunter Ice Skating Stadium in Newcastle and Macquarie Ice Rink in Sydney between 2 August and 22 August 2020. On 14 August 2020, it was revealed the series would be extended by three matches, creating a full seven match series. Game One ended with the Ice Dogs claiming a 3–2 overtime victory to take a 1–0 lead in the series. Game two saw the Ice Dogs double their lead in the series to 2–0 with a 3–2 overtime victory. Game three was won by the Northstars in a 5–4 shootout victory, halving the Ice Dog's series lead to 2–1.
Personnel changes On 11 January 2020,
Adelaide Adrenaline announced former player and head coach Sami Mantere had been re-appointed as head coach for the 2020 season. Sami replaced outgoing head coach, Jim Fuyarchuk, who held the position for the last two seasons. On 31 January 2020,
Melbourne Ice announced their new head coach for 2020 would be Canadian Michael Marshall. Michael hails from
Calgary, Alberta and joins the team off the back of four years coaching in Sweden. On 8 February 2020,
Perth Thunder announced Dave Ruck had ended his three-year tenure as head coach of the West Australian team. The 2017 AIHL coach of the year would be replaced by the recently retired former Thunder player, Ben Breault. The appointment is the first senior head coaching role for Breault. On 24 February 2020,
CBR Brave announced head coach Rob Starke would not be returning for the 2020 AIHL season. Starke had left
Canberra and moved back to
Canada for personal and professional reasons in the off-season. Rob left the Brave having guided the team to their first three titles including the 2018 Goodall Cup. On 27 February 2020, the Brave announced Stuart Philps as the team's new head coach and Rob's replacement.
Player transfers Interclub transfers :* Mid-season transfer.
Retirements New signings Players lost ==Regular season==