Utica Comets Release Exciting 2026-27 Season Schedule
The Comets will open in Providence before returning to Utica for a Saturday night showdown with Rochester.
The Utica Comets 2026-27 schedule is now available, giving Mohawk Valley hockey fans their first complete look at the team’s upcoming season. The calendar includes a Saturday home opener, traditional holiday games, Sunday afternoon contests and several matchups against nearby rivals.
Utica will begin the regular season on the road against the Providence Bruins on Friday, Oct. 2. The Comets will then return to the Adirondack Bank Center to host the Rochester Americans at 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10.
Fans can view or print the complete schedule here:
View the official 2026-27 Utica Comets printable schedule
The official printable calendar was updated July 7, 2026. The team notes that all dates and starting times remain subject to change.
Comets Begin the Season in Providence
The Comets will open their season at 7:05 p.m. Oct. 2 against Providence at Amica Mutual Pavilion.
The road opener begins a season that will run through April 2027. The complete schedule includes games against North Division opponents and several teams from the AHL’s Atlantic Division.
Utica’s North Division opponents include:
- Belleville Senators
- Cleveland Monsters
- Hamilton Hammers
- Laval Rocket
- Rochester Americans
- Syracuse Crunch
- Toronto Marlies
The Hamilton Hammers are entering their first AHL season as an affiliate of the New York Islanders. Their addition gives Utica another regional opponent and creates a new divisional matchup for Comets fans.
Historic Saturday Home Opener Against Rochester
The first home game is likely to be one of the most anticipated dates on the Utica Comets 2026-27 schedule.
Utica will host Rochester at 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, at the Adirondack Bank Center. The American Hockey League confirmed the matchup when it announced the home openers for its member clubs.
The team has described it as its first Saturday home opener. That timing could make the game more accessible to families, visitors and supporters who travel from outside Utica.
Rochester is one of Utica’s closest geographic rivals. Games between the two clubs often carry added importance because both teams compete in the North Division.
The matchup could also provide an early economic boost for downtown Utica. Saturday evening games can bring customers to nearby restaurants, bars, parking facilities and other local businesses before and after the game.
Holiday Hockey Returns to Utica
The schedule includes several home dates connected to holidays and longstanding Comets traditions.
Veterans Day
Utica will host the Belleville Senators at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11.
The team’s full promotional schedule has not yet been announced, so any special Veterans Day ceremony or related activities have not been confirmed.
Thanksgiving Eve
The Comets will host the Hartford Wolf Pack at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 25.
Thanksgiving Eve has traditionally been an important home date for the Comets. It gives families and friends returning to the Mohawk Valley another opportunity to gather before the holiday.
Black Friday
Utica will also play at home on Black Friday, Nov. 27, when the Laval Rocket visit the Adirondack Bank Center for a 7 p.m. game.
A Black Friday home game gives families an entertainment option beyond shopping and holiday travel.
Holiday Break Hockey
The Comets will host Laval at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 27. The afternoon game falls during the holiday break, when many children are out of school and families may be looking for local activities.
More Sunday Afternoon Games
Several Sunday afternoon games are included in the new calendar. These earlier starting times may be particularly attractive to parents with young children, older residents and fans traveling from other parts of Central New York.
Notable Sunday home games shown on the printable calendar include:
- Hamilton at Utica, 3 p.m. Nov. 1
- Laval at Utica, 3 p.m. Dec. 27
- Syracuse at Utica, 3 p.m. Jan. 3
- Rochester at Utica, 3:05 p.m. Feb. 21
- Rochester at Utica, 3 p.m. March 7
Sunday afternoon hockey gives fans a chance to attend a game without facing a late-night drive home. It could also help the Comets introduce younger children to professional hockey.
Fans should check the official schedule before making plans because the team states that dates and times may change.
Syracuse Rivalry Remains a Major Part of the Season
The Syracuse Crunch will again be one of Utica’s most frequent and important opponents.
The two Central New York clubs are separated by less than 60 miles, making the rivalry convenient for traveling supporters. Games between Utica and Syracuse can draw fans from across Oneida, Herkimer, Madison and Onondaga counties.
The printable schedule shows several home meetings with Syracuse, including:
- Nov. 6
- Jan. 3
- Feb. 26
- March 26
- April 2
Utica will also travel to Syracuse several times during the season.
The frequency of these games means divisional points could be decided through repeated head-to-head contests. A strong record against Syracuse, Rochester and other nearby rivals could become important in the playoff race.
Regular Season Ends in April
Utica’s regular season is scheduled to conclude Saturday, April 10, with a 6 p.m. home game against Belleville.
The final week includes three home games:
- Syracuse at Utica on Friday, April 2
- Belleville at Utica on Friday, April 9
- Belleville at Utica on Saturday, April 10
A home-heavy finish could become valuable if the Comets are competing for a playoff position late in the season.
The team narrowly missed the playoffs during the 2025-26 campaign, finishing one point outside a postseason spot. Ryan Parent is expected to begin his second full season as head coach.
A Mix of Returning Players and New Prospects
The schedule release comes as the Comets and their NHL affiliate, the New Jersey Devils, continue shaping the roster.
The organization has highlighted several players expected to return, including forwards Angus Crookshank, Shane Lachance, Cam Squires and Matyas Melovsky, along with defensemen Mikael Diotte and Ethan Edwards.
Crookshank led Utica with 24 goals during the previous season and finished second on the team with 36 points, according to the Comets.
The organization is also tracking prospects who could spend time in Utica during the season. Final roster decisions will depend on training camp, injuries, player development and decisions made by the Devils.
What Fans Should Know
The schedule gives fans several months to plan ticket purchases, group outings and family visits.
Key dates include:
- Oct. 2: Season opener at Providence
- Oct. 10: Home opener against Rochester
- Nov. 25: Thanksgiving Eve game against Hartford
- Nov. 27: Black Friday game against Laval
- Dec. 27: Sunday afternoon holiday game
- April 10: Regular-season home finale against Belleville
Season-ticket memberships are available through the Utica Comets. The team previously said packages begin at $18 per game and include access to selected events and benefits. Prices and availability should be confirmed directly with the organization before purchasing.
Fans can also call the Comets ticket office at 315-790-9070.
View and Print the Complete Schedule
Fans who want every game, opponent, date and starting time can open the team’s one-page calendar:
Download or view the official Utica Comets 2026-27 printable schedule
The calendar uses red boxes for home games and gray boxes for road games. It also includes abbreviations for every opponent.
Because dates and times can change, fans should review the official Comets website before traveling to a game.
A New Season Brings New Energy to Downtown Utica
The Utica Comets 2026-27 schedule offers a mix of rivalry games, holiday traditions and family-friendly afternoon hockey.
The Oct. 10 home opener against Rochester should provide an early test and a strong opening-night atmosphere. Later dates against Syracuse, Laval, Belleville and other opponents will give fans plenty of opportunities to support the team.
The schedule also matters beyond the arena. Every home game can bring more activity to downtown businesses and create a shared gathering place for residents throughout the Mohawk Valley.
Fans should review the printable calendar, mark their preferred games and continue checking official team announcements for ticket information, promotions and possible schedule changes.
Sources
- Utica Comets official 2026-27 printable schedule
- Utica Comets official website and team announcements.
- American Hockey League home-opener announcement.
