The ECHL season begins Friday with plenty of excitement. For the first time in four years, we enter the new season with a new defending champion, we welcome a new team to the fold and many top teams have eyes on big seasons ahead.

• Watch the ECHL all season long with a FloHockey subscription
• ECHL Storylines To Watch In 2025-26
• Meet the Greensboro Gargoyles: The ECHL's Newest Team

The puck drops Friday night with eight games including the home opener of the defending Kelly Cup champion Trois-Rivières Lions where the team will raise their first championship banner amid their fifth anniversary season.

There will be a total of 28 games played in the league Friday to Sunday with all 30 teams playing at least one game. 

Among the other notable games on the weekend slate is the home opener for the brand new Greensboro Gargoyles in Greensboro, N.C. The team is co-owned by the co-hosts of the popular hockey podcast, Spittin Chiclets. Paul “BizNasty” Bissonette, Ryan Whitney, Keith Yandle and Mike Grinnell are expected to be in attendance as the Gargoyles take on the Jacksonville Icemen. 

Here’s a look at the entire opening weekend schedule. Don’t forget, you can watch every single game of the ECHL season right here on FloHockey. Sign up today to watch the ECHL all season long, from opening night to the Kelly Cup Finals.

ECHL Opening Weekend Schedule

Full ECHL Broadcast Schedule

Friday, Oct. 17

All Times ET

• Florida Everblades at Orlando Solar Bears, 7 p.m.
• Reading Royals at Trois-Rivières Lions, 7 p.m. 
• Norfolk Admirals at Savannah Ghost Pirates, 7 p.m.
• Fort Wayne Komets at Indy Fueld, 7 p.m.
• Utah Grizzlies at Greenville Swamp Rabbits, 7:05 p.m.
• Tulsa Oilers at Iowa Heartlanders, 8 p.m.
• Rapid City Rush at Kansas City Mavericks, 8:05 p.m.
• Idaho Steelheads at Tahoe Knight Monsters, 10:05 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 18

All Times ET

• Fort Wayne Komets at Kalamazoo Wings, 4:30 p.m.
• Norfolk Admirals at South Carolina Stingrays, 6:05 p.m. 
• Maine Mariners at Worcester Railers, 6:05 p.m.
• Toledo Walleye at Indy Fuel, 7 p.m.
• Greenville Swamp Rabbits at Savannah Ghost Pirates, 7 p.m.
• Jacksonville Icemen at Greensboro Gargoyles, 7 p.m.
• Orlando Solar Bears at Florida Everblades, 7 p.m.
• Allen Americans at Wichita Thunder, 7:05 p.m.
• Rapid City Rush at Kansas City Mavericks, 7:05 p.m.
• Utah Grizzlies at Atlanta Gladiators, 7:10 p.m.
• Wheeling Nailers at Cincinnati Cyclones, 7:35 p.m.
• Iowa Heartlanders at Bloomington Bison, 7 p.m.
• Idaho Steelheads at Tahoe Knight Monsters, 10 p.m.

Sunday, Oct. 19

All Times ET

• Reading Royals vs Maine Mariners, 3 p.m. 
• Jacksonville Icemen at Greensboro Gargoyles, 3 p.m.
• Adirondack Thunder at Worcester Railers, 3:05 p.m.
• South Carolina Stingrays at Greenville Swamp Rabbits, 3:05 p.m.
• Utah Grizzlies at Atlanta Gladiators, 3:10 p.m.
• Tulsa Oilers at Iowa Heartlanders, 4 p.m.
• Idaho Steelheads at Tahoe Knight Monsters, 6 p.m.

NHL Prospect Coverage On FloHockey

The best, and most complete, coverage of the NHL minor league hockey and NHL Draft is found on FloHockey. Don't miss the latest new prospect guides, rankings and more from Chris Peters and the FloHockey staff.

Watch the AHL, ECHL, QMJHL, USHL, And More On FloHockey

FloHockey is the streaming home to some of the best hockey leagues in North America, including the ECHL and more. Check out the broadcast schedule to watch more hockey.

Hockey Hits Harder On Flo

Every game. Every goal. Every hit. All Season Long. FloHockey gives you access to the most live hockey anywhere, including leagues like the AHL, ECHL, OHL and QMJHL. Watch your team, follow top prospects and stay on top of all the action. Subscribe to an annual plan now and get 7 months free.

Join The Hockey Conversation On FloHockey Social

• Follow us on Twitter @FloHockey
• Follow us on Instagram @flohockey
• Follow us on TikTok @flohockeytv
• Watch us on YouTube
• Like us on Facebook