On Deck

Calgary sports to watch, attend and support this week.

  • ON DECK: Sept. 14-20 on the Calgary sports scene

    ON DECK: Sept. 14-20 on the Calgary sports scene

    Hockey returns to the Saddledome this week, offering Calgary fans two chances to trade late-summer sunshine for cold ice and noise.

    The Calgary Hitmen get there first, opening their 2026-27 Western Hockey League season Friday against the Red Deer Rebels. Puck drop is 7 p.m. at the Scotiabank Saddledome, where the Hitmen begin a farewell season in the building they have called home for three decades.

    It is an immediate Central Division test and the first opportunity to see how Calgary’s returning players, offseason additions and emerging prospects fit together when the results begin counting.

    The NHL takes over Sunday when the Calgary Flames host the Seattle Kraken at 6 p.m. in their preseason opener.

    Preseason hockey comes with the usual disclaimers. The line combinations will change, established veterans will be easing into form and young players will be trying to turn every shift into a longer look from the coaching staff.

    Still, this exhibition carries extra feeling. It opens the Flames’ final preseason at the Saddledome and begins the countdown to one last NHL campaign beneath its familiar saddle-shaped roof.

    The weekend also includes university exhibition hockey. The Dinos men host Mount Royal on Thursday and Waterloo on Friday at Father David Bauer Arena. On Sunday, the Dinos women welcome Ottawa while the MRU men face Waterloo.

    But the headline belongs downtown: the Hitmen start for real Friday, then the Flames open their dress rehearsal Sunday.

    Two teams. Two openers. One building beginning its long Calgary goodbye.

    Times are Mountain unless otherwise noted.

    Home Events

    Thursday, Sept. 17
    Dinos men’s hockey vs. Mount Royal — 7 p.m.
    Exhibition
    Father David Bauer Arena, Calgary

    Friday, Sept. 18
    Dinos men’s hockey vs. Waterloo — 7 p.m.
    Exhibition
    Father David Bauer Arena, Calgary

    Calgary Hitmen vs. Red Deer Rebels — 7 p.m.
    WHL regular-season and home opener
    Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary

    Saturday, Sept. 19
    Calgary Police Classic
    8-km start: 7:30 a.m.
    Half-marathon start: 8:15 a.m.
    Kids race: 10 a.m.
    Cowboys Park, Calgary

    Dinos field hockey vs. UBC — 11 a.m.
    Canada West
    Hawkings Field, University of Calgary

    Dinos men’s soccer vs. Saskatchewan — 2 p.m.
    Canada West
    Cohos Commons Field, SAIT campus, Calgary

    MRU men’s soccer vs. MacEwan — 3 p.m.
    Canada West
    MRU Stadium Field, Calgary

    Cavalry FC vs. Forge FC — 3 p.m.
    Canadian Premier League
    ATCO Field, Spruce Meadows

    Calgary Stampeders vs. Ottawa REDBLACKS — 5 p.m.
    Canadian Football League
    McMahon Stadium, 1817 Crowchild Trail NW, Calgary
    Calgary enters the game at 5-8 following its Labour Day Rematch loss in Edmonton.

    Sunday, Sept. 20
    Dinos field hockey vs. UBC — 11 a.m.
    Canada West
    Hawkings Field, University of Calgary

    Dinos women’s hockey vs. Ottawa — 12 p.m.
    Exhibition
    Father David Bauer Arena, Calgary

    MRU men’s hockey vs. Waterloo — 12 p.m.
    Exhibition
    Flames Community Arenas, Calgary

    SAIT women’s soccer vs. Alberta-Augustana — 1 p.m.
    ACAC
    Cohos Commons Field, SAIT campus, Calgary

    Dinos men’s soccer vs. Alberta — 2 p.m.
    Canada West
    McMahon Stadium, Calgary (1/3)
    MRU men’s soccer vs. Saskatchewan — 3 p.m.
    Canada West
    MRU Stadium Field, Calgary

    Calgary Flames vs. Seattle Kraken — 6 p.m.
    NHL preseason
    Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary

    Away And Neutral-Site Events

    Thursday, Sept. 17
    Dinos women’s hockey vs. Regina — 7 p.m.
    Exhibition/neutral-site game
    Saskatoon; arena not specified on the Dinos schedule

    Friday, Sept. 18
    Dinos women’s hockey vs. Manitoba — 2 p.m.
    Exhibition/neutral-site game
    Saskatoon; arena not specified on the Dinos schedule

    MRU women’s hockey at Alberta — 7 p.m.
    Exhibition
    Clare Drake Arena, Edmonton

    Saturday, Sept. 19
    Dinos women’s soccer at Saskatchewan — 12 p.m.
    Canada West
    Griffiths Stadium, Saskatoon

    MRU women’s soccer at Regina — 12 p.m.
    Canada West
    University of Regina Field, Regina

    SAIT women’s soccer at Ambrose — 12 p.m.
    ACAC
    Ambrose University campus field, Calgary

    Dinos football at Manitoba — 1 p.m.
    Canada West
    Princess Auto Stadium, Winnipeg

    Dinos women’s rugby at UBC — 2 p.m. MT / 1 p.m. PT
    Canada West
    Gerald McGavin UBC Rugby Centre, Vancouver

    SAIT men’s soccer at Ambrose — 2:15 p.m.
    ACAC
    Ambrose University campus field, Calgary

    Sunday, Sept. 20
    Dinos women’s soccer at Regina — 12 p.m.
    Canada West
    University of Regina Field, Regina

    MRU women’s soccer at Saskatchewan — 12 p.m.
    Canada West
    Griffiths Stadium, Saskatoon

    Calgary Wild FC at Ottawa Rapid FC — 2 p.m. MT / 4 p.m. ET
    Northern Super League
    TD Place, Ottawa

    Calgary Hitmen at Edmonton Oil Kings — 2 p.m.
    WHL
    Rogers Place, Edmonton