The countdown is on for another season of Royals hockey in Victoria, and this year’s opener is one for the history books.
On Friday, September 19th, the puck drops at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre with a rare and exciting matchup—the expansion Penticton Vees make their WHL regular-season debut against the defending BC Division champs.
It’s a fitting spotlight for a Royals squad that surged late last season and made it to the second round of the playoffs.
The 68-game schedule includes plenty of great storylines, including some big-name visits, key rivalries, and a whole lot of weekend hockey. The Royals will hit the road for the first time a week later, heading to Langley for a home-and-home series against the Vancouver Giants on September 26th and 27th.
Victoria fans can look forward to some marquee matchups this year. The Everett Silvertips come to town in October, and with them, 15-year-old phenom Landon DuPont.
That means a rare faceoff between two WHL exceptional status players—DuPont and the Royals’ own Eli McKamey. Also in October, Medicine Hat’s Gavin McKenna, one of the league’s most talked-about young stars, pays a visit with the defending WHL champion Tigers.
November brings a special night to the arena as the Royals host Military Appreciation Night against the 2026 Memorial Cup hosts, the Kelowna Rockets. And in December, get ready to toss those teddy bears—Teddy Bear Toss Night returns on the 12th against Vancouver.
The Royals will see a fair share of long hauls this year too.
January includes a six-game Eastern Division road trip through Saskatchewan and Manitoba. That same month wraps with a playoff rematch against Spokane, as the Chiefs return to the island for back-to-back games.
If you’re marking your calendar for can’t-miss events, February 28th is one of them. That’s when the annual Pink in the Rink game hits the ice, this time against the Portland Winterhawks.
This season’s schedule leans heavily into weekend and holiday games, giving players more time for development and academics—a WHL-wide focus this year. Of the Royals’ 33 home games, 23 are slotted for Fridays, Saturdays, or Sundays, including zero Monday games.
December, dubbed Rivalry Month, will be an all-BC affair with matchups exclusively against Vancouver, Prince George, and Penticton.
Also of note, before the regular season kicks off, Royals fans up island will get a sneak peek at the team during the Island Hockey Fest. The team will host the Everett Silvertips for a pair of preseason games—first in Mill Bay on September 12th, then in Duncan the next afternoon.
Single-game tickets for all regular-season home games go on sale August 5th, but season memberships, half-seasons and group packages are already available.
The Royals will wrap up the regular season with back-to-back games at home against Prince George on March 20th and 21st. With playoff hopes and new rivalries on the line, it’s shaping up to be one of the most exciting seasons Victoria fans have seen in years.
