The Comets are building excitement for the upcoming AHL season with a full 72-game schedule and a new pre-season event to engage the community.
Hockey season is officially on the horizon in Utica. The Utica Comets released their full 72-game schedule for the 2025-26 American Hockey League (AHL) season on Tuesday, creating a buzz of anticipation among the team’s passionate fanbase. To further ignite that excitement, the organization also announced the inaugural “Comets Kickoff Fan Fest,” a new pre-season event designed to connect players with the community and build momentum for their home opener in October.
Analyzing the New Season Schedule
The newly released schedule offers a balanced mix of rivalry matchups, weekend games, and family-friendly start times that are sure to please fans. The Comets, the AHL affiliate of the New-Jersey Devils, will once again compete in the competitive North Division.
Key highlights of the 2025-26 schedule include:
- Home Opener: The Comets will drop the puck for their first home game at the Adirondack Bank Center on Saturday, October 18th, against their rivals, the Syracuse Crunch.
- Rivalry Nights: The schedule is packed with 12 matchups against the Crunch and another 10 against the Rochester Americans, ensuring the heated I-90 rivalries will be a central theme of the season.
- Holiday Games: The team will host its popular New Year’s Eve game and will also play at home the day after Thanksgiving, offering prime holiday entertainment options.
- Weekend Focus: Over 70% of the Comets’ home games are scheduled for Fridays, Saturdays, or Sundays, making it easier for families and working fans to attend.
“We worked closely with the league to build a schedule that works for our players and, most importantly, for our fans,” said Comets President Erica Teti-Hirkey. “The energy in this building, especially on a Saturday night against a rival, is unmatched. This schedule gives us plenty of opportunities to create that electric atmosphere.”
Introducing the “Comets Kickoff Fan Fest”
In a move to deepen community engagement, the Comets are launching a new tradition this year. The “Comets Kickoff Fan Fest” is a free event scheduled for Saturday, October 4th, at the Adirondack Bank Center. It aims to provide fans with an exclusive first look at the team and a day of family-friendly fun.
The Fan Fest will feature:
- Meet the Team: Fans will have the opportunity to meet the 2025-26 players and coaching staff, get autographs, and take photos.
- Open Practice: The event will include a full team practice on the ice, allowing fans a behind-the-scenes look at the team’s preparations.
- Interactive Games & Activities: The arena concourse will be filled with hockey-themed games, face painting, and activities for kids.
- Equipment Sale: A special sale of used team equipment will give fans a chance to own a piece of Comets history.
“The Fan Fest is our way of saying thank you to the best fans in the AHL,” Teti-Hirkey added. “It’s about re-connecting with the community after the off-season and building that shared excitement as we all look forward to dropping the puck.”
More Than Just a Game
The release of the Utica Comets schedule is an annual rite of passage that signals the coming change of seasons and the return of fast-paced, thrilling hockey to the Mohawk Valley. The addition of the Fan Fest demonstrates the organization’s commitment to being a true community partner, creating experiences that go beyond the game itself.
For thousands in the region, the Comets are a source of civic pride and shared identity. As the team prepares to hit the ice, the community is ready to rally behind them once again. We encourage everyone to mark their calendars, make plans to attend the Fan Fest, and get ready to fill the Aud with the loudest cheers in the league.
