HUNTERSVILLE, NC (July 30, 2026) – The SPHL announced Thursday it will drop the puck for its 23rd season on Friday, October 16, with 12 teams now playing a 60-game regular season schedule.
The season kicks off with five games, including the debut of two of the league’s newest members. The Athens Rock Lobsters will open their SPHL schedule against the Macon Mayhem, while the Pee Dee IceCats will host the Huntsville Havoc. In addition, the Pensacola Ice Flyers will travel to Birmingham to face the Bulls, while the Knoxville Ice Bears will welcome the two-time defending Presidents Cup Champions, the Evansville Thunderbolts, to the Civic Coliseum. Opening Night is rounded out with the Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs hosting the Fayetteville Marksmen.
On Saturday, October 17, the Evansville Thunderbolts will raise their second championship banner inside Ford Arena before facing off against Knoxville. Saturday’s schedule also features the home openers for Fayetteville (hosting Roanoke) and Pensacola (hosting Birmingham), while the Peoria Rivermen make the short trip up I-74 to Moline to take on the Quad City Storm.
On Friday, October 23, Huntsville will host Pensacola while Peoria welcomes Pee Dee to Carver Arena. The SPHL closes out its 2026-2027 home openers on Saturday, October 24 as the Bulls make the trip to Macon, Georgia to take on the Mayhem.
The complete schedule can be found on the SPHL’s website (www.thesphl.com).
About the SPHL
Now entering its 23rd season, the SPHL comprises 13 member clubs throughout the southeastern and midwestern United States. Headquartered in Huntersville, NC, the league is dedicated to delivering high-quality, family-oriented entertainment through a sustainable model tailored to small and mid-sized markets. The SPHL also serves as a key development platform for players, coaches, and officials pursuing advancement in professional hockey.
