NLL 2026-27: Your Complete National Lacrosse League Guide

The National Lacrosse League (NLL) is the premier professional indoor box lacrosse league in North America. Founded in 1986 as the Eagle Pro Box Lacrosse League, the NLL celebrates its 40th anniversary during the 2026-27 season. The league features teams from the United States and Canada playing in hockey arenas on a concrete or turf surface surrounded by boards and glass — the same arenas used for NHL hockey.

• •Founded in 1986 as the Eagle Pro Box Lacrosse League, the NLL is the longest-running professional lacrosse league in North America — celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2026-27
• •The 2026-27 season features 13 teams across the United States and Canada, following the Philadelphia Wings' cessation of operations after the 2025-26 season
• •Games are played indoors on a 200' x 85' hockey rink with the ice covered by a synthetic turf surface
• •Each team plays an 18-game regular season beginning with Faceoff Weekend in November 2026 and running through April, followed by single-elimination playoffs and the NLL Finals in late spring
• •The 2026 NLL champion was the Toronto Rock, who swept the Halifax Thunderbirds 2-0 in the NLL Finals
• •Box lacrosse is played 6-on-6 (including the goalie) with shorter sticks and a shot clock — a faster, more physical game than field lacrosse
• •Many NLL players also compete in the PLL during the summer, making them year-round professional lacrosse athletes

The 2026-27 NLL season begins with Faceoff Weekend in November 2026. The league's 40th anniversary season will feature 13 teams following the Philadelphia Wings' cessation of operations. Standings will be updated here once the season tips off. The Unified Standings format ranks all teams together for playoff seeding.

• •Season start: NLL Faceoff Weekend, November 2026 (full schedule TBA at nll.com/schedule)
• •Regular season: 18 games per team, December through April
• •Playoffs: Top 8 teams qualify for single-elimination playoffs
• •NLL Finals: Best-of-three series in late spring 2027
• •Standings will appear here once the season begins — check nll.com/schedule for the latest

The NLL's 13 active teams for the 2026-27 season span the United States and Canada. Below is a brief profile of each franchise, including their 2025-26 regular season record. The Philadelphia Wings ceased operations after the 2025-26 season. All data sourced from nll.com.

• •Buffalo Bandits — Buffalo, NY (East Conference). Home: KeyBank Center. One of the NLL's most storied franchises, founded in 1992. Multiple-time NLL champions and consistently among the league's top attendance draws. 2025-26 record: 11-7.
• •Calgary Roughnecks — Calgary, AB (West Conference). Home: Scotiabank Saddledome. Founded in 2001; NLL champions in 2004, 2009, and 2019. One of Canada's premier box lacrosse franchises. 2025-26 record: 6-12.
• •Colorado Mammoth — Denver, CO (West Conference). Home: Ball Arena. Based in Denver; NLL champions in 2006 and 2022. Share their home arena with the NHL's Colorado Avalanche. 2025-26 record: 12-6.
• •Georgia Swarm — Duluth, GA (East Conference). Home: Gas South Arena. Relocated from Minnesota in 2016. 2017 NLL champions. Known for their passionate fan base in the Atlanta metro area. 2025-26 record: 12-6.
• •Halifax Thunderbirds — Halifax, NS (East Conference). Home: Scotiabank Centre. Relocated from Rochester in 2019. 2025-26 NLL Finals runners-up. One of the NLL's most passionate fan bases. 2025-26 record: 8-10.
• •Las Vegas Desert Dogs — Las Vegas, NV (West Conference). Home: Michelob Ultra Arena. Expansion team that debuted in the 2022-23 season. Brought professional indoor lacrosse to the Las Vegas market. 2025-26 record: 8-10.
• •Oshawa FireWolves — Oshawa, ON (East Conference). Home: Tribute Communities Centre. Relocated from Albany, NY ahead of the 2025-26 season (formerly the Albany FireWolves, originally the New England Black Wolves). Brought pro box lacrosse to Ontario's Durham Region. 2025-26 record: 6-12.
• •Ottawa Black Bears — Ottawa, ON (East Conference). Home: TBD (previously Canadian Tire Centre). Newest NLL franchise, debuting for the 2025-26 season. The NLL terminated the previous ownership (GF Lacrosse LLC) in June 2026 and is seeking a new arena and ownership arrangement to keep the team in the Ottawa-Gatineau region for 2026-27. 2025-26 record: 8-10.
• •Philadelphia Wings — Philadelphia, PA (East Conference). Home: Wells Fargo Center. One of the NLL's original franchises with a rich championship history (six league titles). Play at Wells Fargo Center, shared with the NHL's Flyers. The Wings ceased operations following the 2025-26 season per a March 30 announcement by Comcast Spectacor. 2025-26 record: 5-13. The franchise's future — including a possible relocation — remains unresolved as of August 2026.
• •Rochester Knighthawks — Rochester, NY (East Conference). Home: Blue Cross Arena. The current Knighthawks are an expansion franchise that began play in 2019-20, separate from the original Knighthawks (now the Halifax Thunderbirds). 2025-26 record: 6-12.
• •San Diego Seals — San Diego, CA (West Conference). Home: Frontwave Arena (Oceanside). The Seals announced on August 21, 2026 that they are moving from Pechanga Arena to the 7,500-seat Frontwave Arena in Oceanside for the 2026-27 season, bringing fans closer to the action in North San Diego County. Debuted in the 2018-19 season. 2025-26 NLL Semifinalists. 2025-26 record: 8-10.
• •Saskatchewan Rush — Saskatoon, SK (West Conference). Home: SaskTel Centre. Relocated from Edmonton in 2016. NLL champions in 2016 and 2018. One of the strongest fan bases in the NLL. 2025-26 record: 12-6.
• •Toronto Rock — Toronto, ON (East Conference). Home: Scotiabank Arena. 2025-26 NLL champions — secured their 7th title in franchise history with a 2-0 Finals sweep of Halifax. One of the most successful franchises in NLL history. 2025-26 record: 11-7.
• •Vancouver Warriors — Vancouver, BC (West Conference). Home: Rogers Arena. Rebranded from the Vancouver Stealth in 2018. 2025-26 regular season champions with the league's best record (13-5). Play at Rogers Arena, home of the NHL's Canucks. 2025-26 record: 13-5.
• •Note: The Albany FireWolves relocated to Oshawa, ON ahead of the 2025-26 season and are now the Oshawa FireWolves. The Panther City Lacrosse Club and New York Riptide are not active for the 2025-26 season. The NLL currently has 13 active teams for the 2026-27 season. All data sourced from nll.com.

The 2025-26 NLL season featured 14 teams playing an 18-game regular season, followed by single-elimination playoffs and a best-of-three NLL Finals. The Toronto Rock captured their 7th championship in franchise history, sweeping the Halifax Thunderbirds 2-0 in the NLL Finals — returning to glory in their first Finals appearance since 2015. The 2026-27 season will be the NLL's 40th anniversary campaign, with 13 active teams following the Philadelphia Wings' cessation of operations. All data below is sourced from nll.com.

• •Regular Season Champions: Vancouver Warriors finished with the league's best record at 13-5, earning the #1 overall seed in the unified standings.
• •Final 2025-26 Standings: 1. Vancouver (13-5), 2. Colorado (12-6), 3. Saskatchewan (12-6), 4. Georgia (12-6), 5. Buffalo (11-7), 6. Toronto (11-7), 7. San Diego (8-10), 8. Halifax (8-10), 9. Las Vegas (8-10), 10. Ottawa (8-10), 11. Calgary (6-12), 12. Rochester (6-12), 13. Oshawa (6-12), 14. Philadelphia (5-13).
• •Playoff Format: Top 8 teams from the unified standings qualified for the playoffs — single-elimination quarterfinals, best-of-three semifinals, and a best-of-three NLL Finals.
• •Quarterfinals (Apr 24-25): Halifax 10–7 Vancouver (upset over #1 seed), Georgia 17–10 Buffalo, Toronto 16–13 Saskatchewan, San Diego 13–12 Colorado (OT).
• •Semifinals (best-of-three, May 1-10): Toronto defeated San Diego 2-1 (14-12, 6-11, 14-8). Halifax defeated Georgia 2-1 (12-7, 10-21, 15-11). Toronto and Halifax advanced to the NLL Finals.
• •NLL Finals: Toronto Rock vs Halifax Thunderbirds. Toronto swept the series 2-0 to win the championship. Game 1: Toronto 13, Halifax 11 (May 15 at TD Coliseum in Hamilton). Game 2: Toronto 12, Halifax 7 (May 17 at Scotiabank Centre in Halifax). The title was secured on May 17, 2026.
• •Championship: The Toronto Rock secured their 7th title in franchise history, tying the Buffalo Bandits for the most NLL championships. Rookie Sam English was named NLL Finals MVP with 3 goals, 4 assists, 19 loose balls, and 2 caused turnovers in the series.
• •2025-26 Award Winners (announced May 14): MVP: Brett Dobson (Georgia Swarm). Offensive Player: Keegan Bal (Vancouver Warriors). Defensive Player: Callum Jones (Ottawa Black Bears). Transition Player: Zach Currier (San Diego Seals). Goaltender: Brett Dobson (Georgia Swarm). Rookie: CJ Kirst (Toronto Rock). Sportsmanship: Ryan Keenan (Saskatchewan Rush). Teammate: Luc Magnan (Ottawa Black Bears). Coach: Pat Coyle (Colorado Mammoth). GM: Brad Self.
• •Notable Storylines: The #1-seeded Vancouver Warriors were upset in the quarterfinals by Halifax. Toronto Rock, despite a modest 11-7 regular season, caught fire in the playoffs. The Oshawa FireWolves debuted in their new home after relocating from Albany. Ottawa Black Bears completed their inaugural season.
• •Source: All standings, playoff results, and championship data sourced from nll.com — the official NLL website.

The 2026-27 NLL season — the league's 40th anniversary — kicks off with Faceoff Weekend in November 2026, with the full schedule expected to be released in the coming weeks. During the offseason, teams are re-signing players and making qualifying offers, the league announced its Hall of Fame Class of 2026 with induction tickets now on sale, the NLL is co-promoting the inaugural Lexus Global Lacrosse Games with the PLL and WLL, and the NLL has named YinzCam as its Official Digital Engine in a landmark league-wide partnership. The San Diego Seals announced a move to Frontwave Arena in Oceanside for the 2026-27 season. Calgary placed a franchise tag on star goaltender Christian Del Bianco, and Saskatchewan has placed a franchise tag on Robert Church. The first trade of the offseason saw Halifax send Drew Hutchison and Nonkon Thompson to Rochester for Riley Hutchcraft and Tyler Biles. Buffalo Bandits legend Matt Vinc — the greatest goaltender in NLL history — announced his retirement after 20 seasons and has been placed on the Retired List. Toronto signed Nicholas Rowlett, Colorado signed Andrew Kew and Robert Hope, Saskatchewan signed Mike Messenger, and San Diego signed Trent DiCicco in the August 21 transaction batch. Colorado signed Tim Edwards on August 25. Toronto signed Billy Hostrawser on August 31, and Vancouver signed Marshal King to a one-year agreement from the Hold Out List. On August 28, Georgia signed Mike Manley and Jacob Hickey, while Halifax signed Max Wilson to a three-year extension. Colorado Mammoth forward Will Malcom won gold with Team Canada at the 2026 Pan-American Men's Lacrosse Championship in Kingston, Jamaica. On August 31, the league pushed free agency back to September 18 and moved the Entry Draft to September 24 while the fates of the Philadelphia Wings and Ottawa Black Bears remain unresolved — the free agent market has not opened yet. With free agency now opening September 18, expect a wave of roster moves in the weeks ahead, and watch for the 2026-27 schedule release ahead of Faceoff Weekend. The NLL will celebrate its 40th anniversary throughout the 2026-27 season, looking back at four decades of teams, stars, and unforgettable moments since its founding as the Eagle Pro Box Lacrosse League in 1986. Check nll.com/news/transactions for the full, daily-updated league transaction log.

• •NLL names YinzCam as Official Digital Engine (August 3): The NLL and YinzCam announced a landmark league-wide partnership. YinzCam will serve as the League's digital platform developer, customer data provider, and innovation partner. Launching during the league's November 2026 season-opening weekend, the partnership will introduce a new NLL mobile app, NLL Fan ID with single sign-on, and an NLL Customer Data Platform. Future releases include a redesigned league website, rebuilt club websites and mobile apps, connected jersey technology with embedded NFC, and AI-powered innovations in partnership with Carnegie Mellon University's GRAIL sports-tech lab. Commissioner Brett Frood called it "the digital foundation for the next generation of the National Lacrosse League."
• •NLL celebrates 40th anniversary (2026-27): Founded on March 13, 1986 as the Eagle Pro Box Lacrosse League, the NLL will celebrate its 40th anniversary throughout the 2026-27 season. The league's inaugural season tipped off in 1987 with four teams, including the original Baltimore Thunder and Philadelphia Wings. Today's NLL boasts 13 teams across the US and Canada, ranking third in average attendance for pro indoor sports worldwide behind only the NHL and NBA.
• •Season start: Faceoff Weekend in November 2026: The league's 40th anniversary season begins with NLL Faceoff Weekend in November 2026 — the launch window for the new NLL mobile app and NLL Fan ID under the YinzCam partnership. The full 2026-27 schedule is expected to be released in late September or early October; check nll.com/schedule for the confirmed slate.
• •NLL pushes free agency to September 18, Entry Draft to September 24 (announced August 31): The NLL again delayed the start of free agency — from September 1 to Friday, September 18 — and moved the 2026 NLL Entry Draft presented by Capelli Sport from September 10 to Thursday, September 24 "so that the League and its Clubs may maintain flexibility surrounding membership matters." The unresolved futures of the Philadelphia Wings and Ottawa Black Bears remain the sticking point: Philadelphia holds the draft's first overall pick and Ottawa the second (via a trade with Oshawa), with Vancouver holding pick five, and if either franchise ceases operations completely a dispersal draft of its signed players would follow. The free agent market remains closed until September 18 — expect a wave of signings then. Free agency has now been pushed back twice from its original August 1 start date, with an interim plan for a September 2 opening also scrapped.
• •Matt Vinc announces retirement (August 21): Buffalo Bandits goaltender Matt Vinc — the NLL's all-time leader in regular-season wins (182), saves (11,823), and minutes played (17,800+) — announced his retirement after a 20-year career. Drafted 6th overall by the San Jose Stealth in the 2005 NLL Draft, Vinc went on to play for the New York/Orlando Titans, Rochester Knighthawks, and Buffalo Bandits. He was named NLL Goaltender of the Year a record eight times and captured six NLL championships: three consecutive with Rochester (2012-14) and three consecutive with Buffalo (2023-25) — the only player to win two separate three-peats with different franchises. His postseason résumé includes a 40-17 playoff record with 2,122 postseason saves, making him the all-time playoff leader in goalie wins and saves. Across regular season and playoffs, Vinc accumulated 222 wins and 13,945 saves over a career spanning three decades.
• •Lexus Global Lacrosse Games announced (July 29): The NLL is co-promoting the Lexus Global Lacrosse Games with the PLL and WLL, coming Dec. 8-13, 2026 at The St. James outside Washington, D.C. Sanctioned by World Lacrosse and USA Lacrosse, the tournament features top men's and women's players representing four nations under Olympic Sixes rules — the same format for LA28. The event replaces the PLL/WLL Championship Series for the next two years leading up to LA28.
• •Meet the Hall of Fame Class of 2026 — career profiles (September 2): Ahead of the September 19 induction at Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino, nll.com published full career profiles for all eight inductees. Dan Dawson (F): NLL records 954 assists and 322 GP; 1,505 points (2nd all-time), 551 goals; 2009 MVP, 3x champion. Shawn Evans (F): 1,358 points (6th), 879 assists (5th), 479 goals; back-to-back MVP 2013 and 2015; record 130-point season in 2015. Mark Steenhuis (F): 1,013 points (459 G, 554 A), 1,641 loose balls; 2008 Finals MVP + Transition POY; famed 17-point game in 2009. Sandy Chapman (D): 252 GP, 151 points, 1,014 loose balls; 5x champion; 2010 Defensive POY. Mike Accursi (F): 827 points, 58 playoff goals (9th all-time); 4x champion. Jake Bergey (F): 557 points in just 133 GP (>4 PPG); two titles; No. 66 retired by Philadelphia. Gavin Prout (F): first overall pick in 2001; 922 points (301 G, 621 A) in 184 GP; 2006 Finals MVP with Colorado. John Gurtler (Builder — Media): decades as the voice and historian of the league.
• •Hall of Fame Class of 2026 — induction tickets on sale (August 21): The NLL will induct eight new members on Saturday, September 19 at the Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino in Niagara Falls, New York. Player Category: Sandy Chapman, Dan Dawson, Shawn Evans, Mark Steenhuis. Veteran Category: Mike Accursi, Jake Bergey, Gavin Prout. Builders Category: John Gurtler. Tickets are on sale now via nll.com — general admission is $85 (includes commemorative trading card set autographed by the Class of 2026) and a $150 VIP ticket includes access to a post-ceremony cocktail reception. With just under 200 tickets available to the public, the event is expected to sell out.
• •San Diego Seals move to Frontwave Arena (August 21): The Seals announced they will move from Pechanga Arena to the 7,500-seat Frontwave Arena in Oceanside, CA for the 2026-27 season. The state-of-the-art venue, which opened in 2024, brings fans closer to the action and positions the team in the heart of a North San Diego County youth lacrosse hotbed. The 2026-27 NLL schedule is expected to be announced in September.
• •Franchise Tags: Calgary Roughnecks placed Franchise Tag on goaltender Christian Del Bianco (July 29, CBA Section 7.2). Saskatchewan Rush placed Franchise Tag on Robert Church — accepted (August 12).
• •First offseason trade (August 19): Halifax Thunderbirds traded Drew Hutchison and Nonkon Thompson to the Rochester Knighthawks in exchange for Riley Hutchcraft and Tyler Biles.
• •Philadelphia Wings cease operations (March 30): Comcast Spectacor announced the Philadelphia Wings will cease operations following the 2025-26 season. The Wings were one of the NLL's four original franchises dating to 1987, with six league titles. The team finished 5-13 in its final season. The franchise's future remains uncertain, with reports of a potential relocation to Barrie, Ontario for 2026-27, though nothing has been officially confirmed by the league.
• •Ottawa Black Bears ownership terminated, league seeks to keep team: In June 2026, ticket holders were informed the Black Bears would not return to Canadian Tire Centre for the 2026-27 season. On June 25, the NLL released a statement confirming it had terminated GF Lacrosse LLC's ownership of the franchise, but stated its intention to keep the team in the Ottawa-Gatineau region and grow the fan base. The franchise, formerly the New York Riptide, missed the playoffs in both seasons in Ottawa (8-10 and 7-5 before the season was curtailed). A new arena and ownership arrangement for 2026-27 has not yet been announced. The NLL delayed free agency from August 1 to September 2, and then again to September 18 (with the Entry Draft moved to September 24), to allow time for resolution of membership matters involving both the Black Bears and Philadelphia Wings.
• •Recent signings (August 10-September 1): Toronto signed Nicholas Rowlett (2yr). Colorado signed Andrew Kew (2yr) and Robert Hope (1yr). Saskatchewan signed Mike Messenger (3yr), Robert Church (1yr), and Ryan Keenan (1yr). San Diego signed Trent DiCicco (3yr). Calgary signed Jacob Dunbar (1yr) and Harrison Matsuoka (3yr). Las Vegas signed Brandon Goodwin, Sean Westley (1yr), and John LaFontaine (1yr). Halifax signed Johnny Pearson (1yr) and Ethan O'Connor (1yr). Rochester signed Chad Tutton (2yr) and Jeremy Thompson (1yr). San Diego signed Cam Acchione (2yr) and Cam Dunkerley (1yr). Colorado signed Tim Edwards (1yr). Georgia signed Bryan Cole (1yr), Mike Manley (1yr), and Jacob Hickey (3yr). Halifax signed Max Wilson (3yr extension). Toronto signed Billy Hostrawser (1yr, August 31). Vancouver signed Marshal King (1yr, from the Hold Out List — September 1).
• •Will Malcom wins gold at Pan-American Championship (August 28): Colorado Mammoth forward Will Malcom and Team Canada won gold at the 2026 Pan-American Men's Lacrosse Championship in Kingston, Jamaica. Canada staged a dramatic fourth-quarter comeback, trailing 8-5 before winning 9-8. Canada, the USA, Haudenosaunee, Jamaica, and Puerto Rico all qualified for the 2027 World Lacrosse Men's Championship in Japan.
• •Key multi-year signings (July): Buffalo signed Ian MacKay (3yr) and Dylan Robinson (3yr). Halifax signed Graeme Hossack (3yr), Colton Armstrong (3yr), and Trevor Smyth (3yr). Colorado signed Will Malcom (2yr) and Joe Juengerkes (3yr). Toronto signed Josh Jackson (2yr) and Mark Matthews (2yr). Georgia signed Shayne Jackson (3yr) and Aiden MacDonell (3yr). Philadelphia signed Isaiah Davis-Allen (3yr). Oshawa signed Kyle Rubisch and Nick Chaykowsky (3yr each).
• •Check nll.com/news/transactions for the full, daily-updated league transaction log.

The NLL is broadcast across multiple platforms in the US and Canada. Games stream globally and air on linear TV for select matchups.

• •ESPN+ (US): All NLL games stream live on ESPN+ in the United States
• •TSN (Canada): Canadian viewers can watch NLL games on TSN and the TSN streaming app
• •NLL YouTube: Select games, highlights, and recaps available on the NLL's official YouTube channel
• •NLL+: The NLL's streaming platform offers live games and on-demand content
• •NLL.com: Live stats, scores, and game trackers available at nll.com during every game
• •Social media: Follow @NLL on X, Instagram, and TikTok for real-time updates, highlights, and behind-the-scenes content

The NLL and PLL are both professional lacrosse leagues, but they play two different sports — indoor box lacrosse and outdoor field lacrosse. Here's how they compare.

The Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) is the premier professional field lacrosse league, playing outdoors from May through September. If you're looking for the outdoor game — with 10v10 play, long poles, and a full-size field — our complete PLL guide has standings, stats, schedule, and predictions.

This guide is compiled from the NLL's official website and other verified lacrosse sources. Standings and schedule will be updated once the 2026-27 season begins in December.