Here are the 2026 NLL Playoffs clinching scenarios for Week 21
4 teams are vying for the final two playoff spots
Halifax, Ottawa, Las Vegas, San Diego
4 teams are vying to host a QF game (2 spots remain)
Saskatchewan, Buffalo, Toronto, Georgia
(note: Colorado and Vancouver have secured hosting a QF game)
3 teams are vying for the top overall seed
Colorado, Vancouver, Buffalo
Final Two Playoffs Spots
Ottawa at Halifax (Saturday, 6PM ET)
- Winner advances to Playoffs; loser is eliminated
Las Vegas and San Diego (Friday, 10:30 PM ET and Saturday, 10 PM ET)
- A sweep by either team clinches a playoff berth
If the two teams split:
- Las Vegas gets in with two Rochester wins vs. Georgia.
- San Diego gets in with at least one Georgia win vs. Rochester.
- If San Diego AND Georgia both win the first of two games of the weekend, San Diego is in and Las Vegas is eliminated. Ottawa at Halifax play for the final playoff berth.
- If Las Vegas AND Georgia both win their first of two games of the weekend, the Saturday night Las Vegas vs. San Diego game will be for the final playoff berth.
- Sunday’s game (Georgia at Rochester) then becomes meaningless from a playoff field standpoint, not necessarily from the standpoint of the final order of standings.
Top Overall Seed
Colorado Mammoth
- Colorado has clinched a first round home playoff game.
- Colorado clinches the top overall seed and home field advantage throughout the playoffs with a win.
- With a loss, Colorado clinches the top overall seed with a Vancouver loss AND one of the following:
- At least one Georgia loss, OR a Buffalo loss.
Vancouver Warriors
- Vancouver has clinched a first round home playoff game.
- Vancouver clinches the top overall seed and home field advantage throughout the playoffs with a win AND Colorado loss.
Buffalo Bandits
- Buffalo clinches the top overall seed and home field advantage throughout the playoffs with a win AND two Georgia wins AND a Vancouver loss AND a Colorado loss.
Quarterfinal Round Home Playoff Games (2 spots remain)
Buffalo Bandits
- Buffalo clinches a first round home playoff game with a win OR at least one Georgia loss.
Toronto Rock
Toronto clinches a first round home playoff game with a win AND at least one of the following:
- A Buffalo loss, OR At least one Georgia loss, OR Colorado AND Vancouver losses
Saskatchewan Rush
- Saskatchewan clinches a first round home playoff game with a win.
Georgia Swarm
- Georgia clinches a first round home playoff game with two wins AND at least one of the following:
- A Buffalo loss, OR Buffalo AND Toronto AND Vancouver wins, OR Buffalo AND Toronto AND Philadelphia AND Colorado wins
