General | 6/24/2025 3:00:00 PM

The United States Hockey League (USHL) has unveiled the 2025-2026 regular-season schedule. All 16 USHL teams will play a 62-game, cross-conference schedule beginning Wednesday, September 17 and concluding Saturday, April 4.

In partnership with the Pittsburgh Penguins, the USHL is set to open its regular season with all 16 teams playing two games between September 17 – September 21 as part of the DICK's Sporting Goods Fall Classic at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex in Cranberry Township, Pa. The Fall Classic game schedule will be released at a later date.

The Tri-City Storm and Youngstown Phantoms will meet for the American Cup powered by Wegmans in Rochester, NY, on Dec. 4-5, 2025. The Des Moines Buccaneers and Fargo Force will play in the Frosty Cup in Frisco, Texas, on Jan. 22-23, 2026. The American Cup, Frosty Cup, and Fall Classic will continue to serve as showcases for some of North America's best youth hockey teams. 

"The 2025-26 season reflects our commitment to player development while creating meaningful fan experiences," said USHL President & Commissioner Glenn Hefferan. "Returning to Pittsburgh, Rochester (NY), and Frisco allows us to showcase future NCAA and NHL players in passionate hockey communities. By integrating top AAA youth tournaments into each event, we're not only expanding our reach but also inspiring and connecting with the next wave of elite talent."

Preseason dates will be announced at a later date. 

About the USHL

The United States Hockey League (USHL) and its 16 teams are committed to being the world's leading 16–20-year-old junior hockey league. During the 2024-25 season, USHL alumni held over 50% of NCAA Division I roster spots, and over 25% of NHL players had USHL experience. With 10 first-round selections and 49 total picks in the 2024 NHL Draft, the USHL has developed the most draft choices of any junior hockey league since 2012.

Elevated through the recently announced Declaration of Excellence with the NHL and USA Hockey, the league's player-first approach, including a 2:1 practice-to-game ratio and a schedule with 92% of games played on weekends, provides its players with the optimal environment for athletic and personal growth, creating pathways for the next generation of stars like Kyle Connor (Youngstown Phantoms), Macklin Celebrini (Chicago Steel), Matthew Knies (Tri-City Storm), Adam Fantilli (Chicago Steel) and Jeremy Swayman (Sioux Falls Stampede). More.