The 1980 Calder Cup Playoffs of the American Hockey League began on April 8, 1980. The playoff format was expanded from 6 to 8 teams. The eight teams that qualified played best-of-7 series for Division Semifinals and Division Finals. The division champions played a best-of-7 series for the Calder Cup. The Calder Cup Final ended on May 17, 1980 with the Hershey Bears defeating the New Brunswick Hawks four games to two to win the Calder Cup for the sixth time in team history.