The Hershey Bears released their promotional schedule for the 2025-26 season on Tuesday. The Bears are set to kick off their 88th AHL season with their Home Opener against the Syracuse Crunch at GIANT Center on Saturday, October 11.
Before puck drop, the club will host an Opening Night Red Carpet Event where all fans will receive a giveaway rally towel.
Hershey’s famous Teddy Bear Toss game will return on January 4, 2026, against the Rockford IceHogs. When the first Bears player scores a goal, the ice will be showered with stuffed animals, which are then donated to local charities. The Bears broke their own record by collecting 102,343 stuffed animals after Mike Sgarbossa lit the lamp this past season.
Special to the 2025-26 campaign, the Bears will be holding four Hershey Bears x Washington Capitals 20th Anniversary Nights, November 16, December 12, January 3, and March 15, in celebration of the two-decade-long AHL-NHL affiliation between the two clubs. No details have yet been provided about what the Bears plan to do at the games in recognition of the anniversary.
Other giveaways throughout the year include Members 1st Bobblehead Night on December 12 (all fans), Highmark Fanny Pack Night on December 13 (first 5,000 fans), PSECU Knit Hat Night on January 3 (first 4,000 fans), Pepsi Cowboy Hat Night on January 10 (first 6,000 fans), David A. Smith Team Photo Night on January 11 (first 6,000 fans), Toyota License Plate Night on April 18 (first 6,000 fans), and Fan Appreciation Night Scratch Card on April 19 (all fans).
The Bears will also be hosting several other themed nights, including Penn State Health Pink The Rink Night on October 18, Reese’s Trick or Treat Night on October 25, Hockey Fights Cancer Night on November 30, 90s Night on on December 13, Autograph Night on January 11, Halfway To Summer Night on January 23, Women In Sports Night on February 7, and Racing Night on April 18.
Classic events like Kids Night (December 28), Hometown Heroes Night (November 9, January 25), and four Hersheypark Pass Nights will also return.
Here’s the full press release from the Bears:
BEARS ANNOUNCE PROMOTIONAL SCHEDULE FOR 2025-26 SEASON
GIANT Teddy Bear Toss, exciting giveaways, great causes, and more highlight upcoming campaign
(Hershey, PA – July 29, 2025) – The Hershey Bears have announced the club’s promotional schedule for the 2025-26 season, presented by Penn State Health.
The full Hershey Bears promotional schedule is available at HersheyBears.com.
All promotional nights are subject to change, and additional promotional nights and giveaways could be added at a later date.
Single game tickets to all Hershey Bears games at GIANT Center will go on sale to the public on Thursday, Sept. 11. An exclusive Season Ticket Member presale to purchase tickets to all Hershey Bears home games will start on Tuesday, Sept. 9. Further information will be communicated to Season Ticket Members.
Here are some of the promotional schedule highlights that fans should know as they plan to visit GIANT Center this season:
HOME OPENER RED CARPET EVENT:
The Bears will open their 88th season as they hit the ice at home on Saturday, Oct. 11 against the Syracuse Crunch. Fans are encouraged to arrive early as players and coaches will be introduced as they arrive to the arena, and fans will have the opportunity to get autographs and pictures with the team as they walk the red carpet to enter GIANT Center.
CAPITALS NIGHTS:
This season, the Bears are roaring in ALL CAPS all season long as the club celebrates its affiliation with the NHL’s Washington Capitals, commemorating the previous 20 seasons that have produced five Calder Cup championships (2006, 2009, 2010, 2023, 2024), one Stanley Cup title (2018), and dozens of NHLers! Join us for Hershey Bears x Washington Capitals 20th Anniversary Nights on Sunday, Nov. 16 vs. Lehigh Valley, Friday, Dec. 12 vs. Providence, Saturday, Jan. 3 vs. Rockford, and Sunday, March 15 vs. Belleville.
TEDDY BEAR TIME:
Be sure to get your tickets early for this one! There’s no better promotion in hockey than our annual GIANT Teddy Bear Toss, slated to take place on Sunday, January 4 vs. Rockford at 3 p.m. Experience the “Sweet Cuddly Mayhem” as fans are encouraged to throw teddy bears and stuffed animals onto the ice when the Bears score their first goal of the game. The thousands of stuffed animals are then donated to local charities as part of the club’s Hershey Bears Cares program. Hershey holds the Teddy Bear Toss hockey world record, collecting 102,343 stuffed animals for local children last season.
BEARS FIGHT CANCER:
The Bears have announced Penn State Health Pink the Rink Weekend, set for Saturday, Oct. 18 and Sunday, Oct. 19. The Bears and Penn State Health will rally to help fight breast cancer on this special weekend, and all fans will receive a light-up Pink the Rink baton on Saturday, courtesy of Penn State Health. The club will wear special pink jerseys for both nights that will be auctioned off following Sunday’s game. The Bears will continue the fight against cancer with the return of Hockey Fights Cancer Night on Sunday, Nov. 30 vs. Laval. All fans will receive a light-up Hockey Fights Cancer bracelet, courtesy of Penn State Health, and the club will wear special jerseys that will be auctioned off post-game.
GIVEAWAYS FOR ALL AGES:
Here are just some of the great giveaways this season with fun for all ages:
- Members 1st Bobblehead Night (all fans) – Friday, Dec. 12 vs. Providence
- Highmark Fanny Pack Night (first 5,000 fans in attendance) – Saturday, Dec. 13 vs. Charlotte
- Belco Kids Earmuffs (first 3,000 children 14-and-under in attendance) – Sunday, Dec. 28 vs. Charlotte
- PSECU Knit Hat Night (first 4,000 fans in attendance) – Saturday, Jan. 3 vs. Rockford
- Pepsi Cowboy Hat Night (first 6,000 fans in attendance) – Saturday, Jan. 10 vs. Cleveland
- David A. Smith Team Photo Night (first 6,000 fans in attendance) – Sunday, Jan. 11 vs. Cleveland
- Fairview Golf Course Golf Chip Giveaway (first 4,000 fans in attendance) – Tuesday, March 10 vs. Charlotte
- Penn State Health Drawstring Bag Night (all fans in attendance) – Saturday, March 14 vs. Belleville
- Toyota License Plate Night (first 6,000 fans in attendance) – Saturday, April 18 vs. Bridgeport
- Fan Appreciation Night Scratch Card (all fans in attendance) – Sunday, April 19 vs. Rochester
