REGINA, Sask. – The Regina Pats and the city have confirmed that the I Love Regina Pats Game is coming back.
At a news conference inside Brandt Centre, Mayor Chad Bachynski confirmed the game will be returning on Nov. 1, at 2 p.m. against the Lethbridge Hurricanes.
The return builds on the success of last year’s game, which according to officials was the most highly attended weekday game of the entire 2025-26 season.
“Following last year's success, it was only right to make this game an annual tradition,” Bachynski said.
“It's a great opportunity for our community to come together, show our pride and celebrate Regina's love for hockey. The City is a proud partner with the Regina Pats to bring this event back and we're especially excited to make it an affordable experience for families. We want to have the opportunity to come out for everyone, enjoy the game, be part of the excitement and really there's a lot to look forward to even before the puck drop with pre-game festivities that will help make this great day great for the whole family.”
There are some changes coming. The price of admission will be a little higher at $13 plus taxes and fees for all tickets, up from $9.99 plus taxes and fees for last year’s game. The Pats say it remains one of the more affordable games to go to all year.
As well, unlike last year’s contest which took place at night, this will be an afternoon game at 2 p.m. on a Sunday afternoon.
“So when talking with the City, I think it just made sense to make the I Love Regina theme game on a Sunday afternoon, said Regina Pats Vice President of Business Operations Patrick Pion. He said that a Sunday afternoon game “gives families more of an opportunity to come out compared to a weeknight.”
Pion said the Pats are working with the City to “create a full I Love Regina experience, including a special fan giveaway and activations before and during the game.”
The plan is for a free pre-game at noon featuring face painting, bouncy castles, displays of City equipment including a fire truck and city bus, and other attractions.
The other major change is that after this year’s game is over, the plan is to open up the ice surface to the public to be able to skate with the Regina Pats on the ice. Families are encouraged to bring their skates and helmets, with helmets required for the kids.
“We want people to come early, enjoy the activities and atmosphere and make a day of it. Our message is simple. Come join us. Bring your family, bring your friends, wear your Pats colours or your I Love Regina gear and let's fill the Brandt Centre.”
Merchandise sales will include items from Tourism Regina and the City of Regina, with proceeds from those sales going to support the local organization Growing Young Movers to help create opportunities for youth in the community.
Mayor Bachynski believes the game will be a good experience for families and be an opportunity to once again showcase the City.
“It gives, you know, both kids and adults and families and parents the opportunity to see and see the equipment that it takes to run the city, talk to some of the folks that are involved in running those divisions. So again, it's a great opportunity for having fun, but also a little bit of education.”
Mayor Bachynski and the Pats organization seem to believe that the I Love Regina Pats game will be a fixture on the schedule well into the future.
“I wouldn't use the word permanent, but it's a partnership we've started with the city starting last year,” Pion said.
“And as long as the city wants to partner with Regina Pats, we see value in having, you know, an event like this. It celebrates not only the Pats, but more importantly, it celebrates the city of Regina. And the Pats are a big part of the city of Regina. And combining those two things, I think is just great for the fans in the community.”
Mayor Bachynski called the Regina Pats a “staple of Regina. And so, you know, to see a strong relationship between the city and the Pats, I think it's just a testament to the kind of community that we have.”
“So for me, I look forward to it. I think that we've seen success. I expect we're going to see even more success this year and for years to come.”
