With the official release of the 2025-26 NLL schedule, fans can finally start getting their calendars in order and marking off their can’t-miss games for the upcoming season!
NLL.com has picked out some of the games we’re most looking forward to here. Find us on social media and let us know which games you’ve got circled on your calendar!
Opening Night of the 2025-26 Season
Toronto Rock @ Oshawa FireWolves
Friday, November 28, 2025 | 7:30 p.m.
The League’s opening night places the new installment of the Battle of Ontario center stage in Oshawa at the Tribute Communities Centre with the FireWolves hosting the Toronto Rock. Oshawa is located smack dab in between the Rock’s home of Hamilton and the Black Bears’ home in Ottawa, which will make for some interesting new rivalries.
The Rock struggled last season and were defeated by the FireWolves 15-4 in their only meeting. Going into the 2025-26 season, Toronto has reloaded with young talent on offense that features the 2025 first-overall pick, CJ Kirst and the 2024 second-overall pick Sam English. They’ll want to show their strength offensively and physically as they look to erase last season from their minds, while the FireWolves will be debuting in front of their home crowd and looking to make an exciting statement.
Three-Peat Champs Raise the Banner
Georgia Swarm vs Buffalo Bandits
Saturday, November 29, 2025 | 7 p.m.
Georgia comes into town looking to spoil Buffalo’s banner night celebration. This matchup figures to be highly competitive as Georgia has posted a 2-1 record over the Bandits in their last three matchups, including a 2-0 record during the regular season.
The Bandits and their fans won’t have to wait much longer for their third consecutive banner-raising home opener. This one will be special as it officially caps off the three-peat celebration, achieved last season when the Bandits defeated the Saskatchewan Rush in a three-game series.
The Bandits have spoiled their fans with miniature banners and replica rings celebrating their most recent championships, so we’ll expect something similar this season – but the most important part of every banner raising is watching history rise to the rafters surrounded by 17,000 of your closest friends.
New Era of Knighthawks Lacrosse Begins in Rochester
Philadelphia Wings @ Rochester Knighthawks
Saturday, December 20, 2025 | 7 p.m.
Long Distance Rivalry
Saskatchewan Rush @ Halifax Thunderbirds
Saturday, December 27, 2025 | 6 p.m.
AND
Halifax Thunderbirds @ Saskatchewan Rush
Friday, January 2, 2026 | 8 p.m.
About the only thing Saskatchewan and Halifax have in common is their country (and Austin Shanks). But the fireworks between these two teams during the 2025 season showed the entirety of Canada why lacrosse is the country’s national summer sport. The season series was split 1-1, with the first game ending in a 9-8 overtime win for the Rush while Halifax won a big 17-9 decision. Saskatchewan took the semifinals in two games, but Halifax put up a fight in Game 2, which also ended 10-9 in overtime. Former Thunderbird Austin Shanks scored the goal that eliminated his old team.
A New Rivalry: Oshawa and Ottawa Meet for the First Time
Ottawa Black Bears @ Oshawa FireWolves
Saturday, January 3, 2026 | 7 p.m.
While many will circle Oshawa and Toronto as the major matchup to watch for the newly relocated FireWolves, let’s not forget about another regional rivalry. Oshawa will meet its other Ontario opponent for the first time in early January. It takes about three hours to get from one arena to the other, and fans in either city are used to making those drives. Expect this rivalry to cement itself sooner rather than later.
In their only meeting last season, the Black Bears doubled up on the FireWolves 18-9. Taggart Clark will face his old team after being acquired by Oshawa, where he will be playing under his father, Glenn Clark.
Del Bianco Returns to Calgary
Vancouver Warriors @ Calgary Roughnecks
Friday, January 9, 2026 | 9:30 p.m.
Former MVP Goaltender, Christian Del Bianco, played nine seasons for the Calgary Roughnecks as one of the League’s most prominent tenders. He was traded to the rival Vancouver Warriors late last season and immediately took them on a six-game win streak to end the regular season and clinch a playoff berth. Calgary fans tend to love their players, current and former, so it’s possible to expect a warm welcome from the fans when Del Bianco steps on the floor, but not necessarily guaranteed. Given that the former MVP is suiting up for a Western-Canadian rival, don’t expect either fans or his former teammates to take it easy on him once the whistle blows.
The Classic Rivalry
Buffalo Bandits @ Toronto Rock
Saturday, February 28, 2026 | 7 p.m.
The Rock would like nothing more than to end their nine-game losing streak against the Bandits when the teams meet up at the rechristened TD Coliseum (formerly FirstOntario Centre) for their only matchup of the season. Fans have become accustomed to the two rivals meeting frequently – this will be the first time since 2002 they will only meet once, so it’s one to be savoured. You know Banditland will cross the border in droves to support their team in nearby Hamilton. Expect a competitive one – six of those last nine games were only a one or two-goal advantage.
The Championship Rematch
Saskatchewan Rush @ Buffalo Bandits
Friday, February 27, 2026 | 7:30 p.m.
AND
Buffalo Bandits @ Saskatchewan Rush
Saturday, March 28, 2026 | 9 p.m.
Last season’s NLL Finals between the first and second seeds was an electric factory that required a third and deciding game. A year after missing the playoffs, Saskatchewan roared to the top of the League with a dynamic offence and stifling defence. Buffalo, of course, continued their strong play. All season it looked like a playoff clash between the teams was inevitable and it didn’t disappoint. Buffalo will want to remind everyone why they’re the three-peat champions, while the Rush will look for some revenge. When these two teams meet, it’s must-watch lacrosse. Both matchups are the kind fans won’t want to miss and should be circled in bold on the calendar.
I-15 Showdown
Las Vegas Desert Dogs @ San Diego Seals
Friday, April 17, 2026 | 10:30 p.m.
AND
San Diego Seals @ Las Vegas Desert Dogs
Saturday, April 18, 2026 | 10 p.m.
What a great way to end the season for NLL fans in the southwest – a true home-and-home series between the Joe Tsai-owned Seals and Desert Dogs, played over the course of one weekend. Though the Desert Dogs struggled last season, they brought their A-game against their closest rivals, winning their first matchup 12-10. San Diego put up 20 on them in the rematch but the Desert Dogs still managed a respectable 11 tallies. San Diego and Las Vegas are close enough for out-of-town fans to make it a weekend trip, so expect decent cheering sections for the road teams.
The Mile-High Rivalry
Calgary Roughnecks @ Colorado Mammoth
Saturday, March 21, 2026 | 9 p.m.
The Loudhouse always delivers, and fans in the Mile High City will be ready to bring the noise when Calgary comes to town. This matchup promises to bring maximum intensity both on the floor and in the stands, with one of the league’s rowdiest crowds setting the stage. Colorado certainly has the talent to contend, but the past couple of seasons have fallen short of expectations. Colorado and Calgary have gone back-and-forth over the last three seasons, but notably, the Mammoth have an undefeated record at the Loud House against the Roughnecks in that time frame. By Week 17, expect both teams to be firmly in the playoff hunt, and this matchup could prove pivotal in shaping their postseason hopes.
