NBHL Tier 1 – Niagara Division (2026)
A Major Leap for Ball Hockey in the Niagara Region
We are proud to announce that Ballhockey.com will host the inaugural Tier 1 division of the National Ball Hockey League (NBHL) in the Niagara region, beginning in the 2026 season. This important expansion marks a significant milestone for both the NBHL and our local ball hockey community.
Why Niagara?
The decision to expand the NBHL into Niagara recognizes the region’s strong ball hockey culture, its excellent facilities and our organization’s capacity to deliver high-caliber competitive ball hockey. For Ballhockey.com, this is an opportunity to elevate our programming, attract top players and create a pathway for elite competition locally.
Key Details
- Division: NBHL Tier 1 – Niagara (2026 Season)
- Cost: $4000 CAD per team ($1000 USD Deposit paid to NBHL, remainder of total fee paid to Ballhockey.com)
- Team Submission Deadline: Team Submission Deadline: February 1, 2026! Submit your team by clicking the link below under “Registration Information”
- NBHL Important Dates:
- January 5: Jersey sponsor submissions must be submitted (FORM HERE) Note that media sponsors are not due until 3/25.
- January 5: Team logo submissions are due for all teams (FORM HERE)
- January 9: Final roster submissions are due for all teams (Contact Curtis right after team submission to get access)
- Due to the team submission deadline being pushed back to February 1, 2026… all the forms need to be filled out as soon as possible. Contact Curtis or the NBHL if any issues arise.
- Venue: Games will be played at the iconic Haig Bowl in St. Catharines.
- Inception: Commences in the 2026 season as part of the NBHL’s strategic expansion into Canada.
- Partnership: Ballhockey.com is aligned with the NBHL in bringing this tier to Niagara, leveraging our infrastructure, event management and regional network.
- Weekends of Play:
- Weekend 1: April 25-26
- Weekend 2: May 23-24
- Weekend 3: June 13-14
- Weekend 4: July 25-26
What This Means for Players & Teams
- Elite competition: The Tier 1 division will bring together top-level ball hockey talent, raising the competitive standard in the region and offering exposure.
- Developmental pathway: Niagara players will now have a clear path to elite National-league competition without needing to relocate.
- Enhanced visibility: Being part of the NBHL Tier 1 offering boosts team profiles, sponsorship appeal and player recognition.
- Community boost: More high-level games in Niagara means increased fan interest, local sponsorship opportunities and overall growth of the sport.
What’s Next – How to Get Involved
- Team registration: Teams interested in joining Niagara Tier 1 should submit their team using the NBHL Team Submission form, available here.
- Player recruitment: Players seeking to compete at level and don’t have a team, please use the free agent form available on the NBHL website.
- Sponsorship & partnerships: With this expansion, new sponsorship opportunities are opening. If your business or organization is interested in engaging with high-performance ball hockey in Niagara, let’s connect.
Registration Information:
To view more info, check out our outline here.
To submit for a team, use our 2026 Team Submission form here.
For more info on the National Ball Hockey League, visit www.thenbhl.com
For further information, team registration, or to express interest, please contact Curtis Dupuis-Sutton – [email protected]