Jan 9, 2026
Significant exchange change prolongs trading hours for European natural gas.
Intercontinental Exchange Inc (ICE) is expanding the trading hours for natural gas and power in Europe to 22 hours daily. This significant change in the European energy markets aims to better synchronize power and gas trading with other commodities, especially given the rising interest in these markets in recent years.
Beginning on February 23, 2026, the EU benchmark, Dutch TTF, along with the UK wholesale gas benchmark futures, will have longer trading periods, pending the completion of regulatory and governance procedures.
At present, Dutch TTF futures operate for 10 hours each day, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. in Amsterdam. The new extended trading hours will run from 1:50 a.m. to midnight, reflecting the increased investor interest in the European gas and power sectors following the 2022 energy crisis.
Last month, ICE, which also manages Brent Crude futures, introduced TTF Daily Options.
ICE reported that TTF futures and options reached a record 103 million contracts by the end of 2025, marking the highest year-to-date total and the first instance of TTF trading over 100 million contracts.
Gordon Bennett, Managing Director of Utility Markets at ICE, stated that "TTF is the key pricing reference for managing risks in global natural gas markets, and the increase in open interest and trading volumes in TTF and JKM indicates the robustness and liquidity of ICE’s natural gas markets."
In mid-December, ICE noted that "In light of the increased growth and acceptance of the TTF derivatives market, which is vital for international price direction, ICE is collaborating closely with clients to prepare for extended trading hours in European Gas and Power futures and options, including TTF, NBP, and German Power, to align with ICE’s Henry Hub and JKM markets that operate for 22 hours each day."
On Thursday morning, Dutch TTF, the benchmark for Europe’s gas trading, decreased by 3.7% due to record-high LNG imports from the United States and predictions of milder weather in northwest Europe after the current storm, Goretti, passes.
Beginning on February 23, 2026, the EU benchmark, Dutch TTF, along with the UK wholesale gas benchmark futures, will have longer trading periods, pending the completion of regulatory and governance procedures.
At present, Dutch TTF futures operate for 10 hours each day, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. in Amsterdam. The new extended trading hours will run from 1:50 a.m. to midnight, reflecting the increased investor interest in the European gas and power sectors following the 2022 energy crisis.
Last month, ICE, which also manages Brent Crude futures, introduced TTF Daily Options.
ICE reported that TTF futures and options reached a record 103 million contracts by the end of 2025, marking the highest year-to-date total and the first instance of TTF trading over 100 million contracts.
Gordon Bennett, Managing Director of Utility Markets at ICE, stated that "TTF is the key pricing reference for managing risks in global natural gas markets, and the increase in open interest and trading volumes in TTF and JKM indicates the robustness and liquidity of ICE’s natural gas markets."
In mid-December, ICE noted that "In light of the increased growth and acceptance of the TTF derivatives market, which is vital for international price direction, ICE is collaborating closely with clients to prepare for extended trading hours in European Gas and Power futures and options, including TTF, NBP, and German Power, to align with ICE’s Henry Hub and JKM markets that operate for 22 hours each day."
On Thursday morning, Dutch TTF, the benchmark for Europe’s gas trading, decreased by 3.7% due to record-high LNG imports from the United States and predictions of milder weather in northwest Europe after the current storm, Goretti, passes.