Abbotsford Canucks 2026-27 home opener date revealed

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The Abbotsford Canucks first-ever home opener inside the Rogers Forum sees the AHL club host the Coachella Valley Firebirds on Saturday, Oct. 17.

The AHL released home opener details for all 32 teams on Wednesday (July 8) and the Canucks open the regular season as the home opener opponent for the Calgary Wranglers on Oct. 2. Abbotsford will also be the home opener opponent for the Colorado Eagles on Oct. 9.

The Canucks and Firebirds met eight times in 2025-26, with Coachella Valley winning seven times. However, the Canucks earned a 4-2 win in the last game between the two teams on April 19.

The Firebirds have historically dominated the Canucks and have won 20 of 27 all-time meetings. Abbotsford does hold a playoff series victory over Coachella Valley with a 3-1 series win in the Pacific Division semifinal round in 2025. This marks the second time that the Firebirds have been a home opener opponent for Abbotsford, as the last time occurred in 2022.

Previous home opener opponents included: Ontario Reign (2025), San Diego Gulls (2024), Calgary Wranglers (2023), Firebirds (2022) and the Henderson Silver Knights (2021).

The full AHL regular season schedule is expected to be released in the coming days.

The 2026-27 home opener will also be the first in-game appearance for the new Johnny Canuck mascot. The lumberjack character was revealed on Global TV on June 29, made appearances at the Canucks Development Camp in Abbotsford and also the Abbotsford Canada Day Parade.

The Canucks have had a busy early-July with several free agent signings, but the team is still on the hunt for a new head coach after Manny Malhotra accepted a job with the NHL’s Vancouver Canucks on June 2.

Abbotsford finished the 2025-26 season with a record of 28-37-4-3 and missed the playoffs for the first time in franchise history. For more on the team visit, abbotsford.canucks.com.