The Florida Everblades will open the 2026-27 ECHL season against the Orlando Solar Bears at 7 p.m. on October 17 at Hertz Arena in Estero. Before the opening-night puck drop, Florida will raise its fifth championship banner. The Everblades will then travel to Orlando for a 5 p.m. game Sunday to conclude opening weekend.
Florida and Orlando meet 15 times
The opening weekend will begin another season series between the Florida Everblades and Orlando Solar Bears. The teams met 14 times last season, with Florida winning 12 games. Saturday’s matchup will be the first of 15 meetings between the teams during the 2026-27 season.
Florida finished last season with a 49-13-7-3 record and atop the South Division. Orlando finished 29-38-4-1 and seventh in the division. The Everblades will host the first meeting at Hertz Arena before visiting Orlando on Sunday.
Everblades return after fifth championship
Florida won its fourth Kelly Cup in the last five seasons and fifth championship overall last season. The Everblades swept the Savannah Ghost Pirates in the South Division Semifinals. Florida then defeated the South Carolina Stingrays in five games in the second round and the Wheeling Nailers in five games in the Eastern Conference Finals.
The Everblades defeated the Kansas City Mavericks in six games in the Kelly Cup Finals. That championship will be recognized before the regular season begins at Hertz Arena. Florida will raise the fifth championship banner before the October 17 puck drop.
New affiliation and returning players
The Florida Everblades will begin the 2026-27 season with a new affiliation with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Ten players from last season’s Kelly Cup championship team will return. Those returning players will be part of Florida’s roster for the start of the new campaign.
How to watch and listen
Florida Everblades games will be broadcast on FloHockey.TV and locally on the Heroes & Icons Network. Game coverage also will be available on the FAN at 94.1, 103.3 and 105.9 FM. Fans can listen online at Everblades.mixlr.com.
FSB Take
The Florida Everblades will open the 2026-27 ECHL season with a championship banner ceremony and a familiar opponent. Florida won 12 of 14 games against the Orlando Solar Bears last season and enters the new campaign after winning its fifth championship overall. The new Pittsburgh Penguins affiliation and 10 returning championship players will be part of the opening-weekend storyline.
Source: Original report