The National Lacrosse League (NLL) is entering a major transition period ahead of its 2026–27 campaign, with the league announcing a significant change to its membership and a revised player transaction calendar.
Ottawa and Philadelphia discontinue operations
The biggest story is the announcement that the Ottawa Black Bears and Philadelphia Wings have discontinued operations and will not participate in the 2026–27 season.
The NLL will therefore move forward with 12 active clubs for its 40th anniversary season. The league said it evaluated ownership, arena and lease conditions, market infrastructure, operations and investment in the fan experience when determining the long-term sustainability of its franchises.
The NLL says both Ottawa and Philadelphia remain markets it could revisit in the future if sustainable ownership and operating conditions can be established.
Dispersal Draft set for September 15
Players from the Ottawa and Philadelphia organizations will enter a combined NLL Dispersal Draft on September 15 at 4 p.m. ET.
The draft order is:
Oshawa FireWolves
Las Vegas Desert Dogs
Rochester Knighthawks
Calgary Roughnecks
San Diego Seals
Halifax Thunderbirds
Colorado Mammoth
Georgia Swarm
Buffalo Bandits
Saskatchewan Rush
Vancouver Warriors
Toronto Rock
That gives every remaining club an opportunity to add players from the two departing franchises.
Free agency and Entry Draft
The roster-building period will continue rapidly after the dispersal draft.
Sept. 15: Ottawa/Philadelphia Dispersal Draft
Sept. 18: Franchise player designations due
Sept. 18, 5 p.m. ET: Free agency opens
Sept. 24, 6 p.m. ET: 2026 NLL Entry Draft presented by Capelli Sport
Toronto Rock enter the offseason as champions
The Toronto Rock are the reigning NLL Finals champions after capturing the franchise’s seventh championship in May.
Toronto also sits 12th in the dispersal-draft order, meaning the defending champions will have the final selection in the first round of the player dispersal process.
Matt Vinc era ends
Another major offseason storyline is the retirement of legendary goaltender Matt Vinc. The NLL has highlighted Vinc’s career and officially placed him on the Buffalo Bandits’ Retired List after his announcement in August.
Vinc’s retirement represents the end of one of the most accomplished goaltending careers in league history and will be an important storyline heading into the 2026–27 season.
Hall of Fame Class of 2026
The NLL will also celebrate its newest Hall of Fame class. The 2026 NLL Hall of Fame induction ceremony is scheduled for September 19 at Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino.
What to watch next
The next two weeks should be among the busiest of the NLL offseason. The immediate focus will be on which Ottawa and Philadelphia players are selected, followed by free-agent signings and the September 24 Entry Draft.
With a new 12-team structure, the defending champion Toronto Rock trying to repeat, and the league preparing for its 40th anniversary season, the 2026–27 NLL campaign is shaping up as a significant new chapter for professional box lacrosse.
