Bridgeport Islanders announce intent to relocate AHL team to Hamilton for 2026-27
The bridgeport islanders will move their American Hockey League franchise from Bridgeport, Connecticut, to Hamilton, Ontario for the start of the 2026-27 season, the organization announced. The move awaits approval from the AHL Board of Governors and is framed as a long-term shift to play in Hamilton’s newly renovated arena. Team leaders said the decision reflects a strategic partnership with the TD Coliseum and a commitment to community engagement in the new market.
Key facts and immediate logistics
The Islanders released a statement confirming the intent to relocate; finalization depends on the AHL Board of Governors’ approval. The franchise has operated in Bridgeport since 2001, beginning as the Bridgeport Sound Tigers and taking the Bridgeport Islanders name in 2021. It remains unclear if the team will retain the Islanders moniker after the move or adopt a new name to suit Hamilton.
Hamilton’s TD Coliseum, which underwent a $300-million renovation and reopened last November with an 18, 000-seat capacity, is the likely venue for the relocated club. Oak View Group operates the arena and has negotiated a long-term partnership with the Islanders organization for the AHL squad. The franchise has said it will work with the City of Bridgeport on a transition plan for Tortal Mortgage Arena as part of the relocation process.
Bridgeport Islanders exit and local reaction
Kelly Cheeseman, President of Business Operations for the Islanders, offered gratitude to the Bridgeport community. “I want to extend our deepest thanks to the City of Bridgeport and the incredibly loyal fans who have supported this team for the past 25 years, ” Cheeseman said, highlighting the franchise’s history from the Sound Tigers era through the Bridgeport Islanders name change.
Mathieu Darche, General Manager for the Islanders, emphasized organizational enthusiasm around the move. “We are excited to make Hamilton our primary affiliate in the American Hockey League, ” Darche said, noting the support from Hamilton during the transition and the intention to have top young talent play in front of a strong fanbase at the renovated TD Coliseum.
Hamilton response and regional hockey history
Local leaders in Hamilton framed the relocation as a revival of professional AHL hockey in the city. Nick DeLuco, Senior Vice President and General Manager of TD Coliseum, said the return of professional hockey to Hamilton will energize downtown and connect fans to the game. Hamilton last hosted an AHL team in 2015 when the Hamilton Bulldogs relocated, leaving the city without an AHL franchise until now.
Officials in Hamilton described the move as creating fresh opportunities for families and local businesses while restoring a long-standing hockey tradition in the city.
Next steps and what to watch
The relocation is pending formal approval from the AHL Board of Governors; the Islanders organization has indicated more details will follow. Officials in Bridgeport and Hamilton will be watching the league review closely as plans advance, including any decisions on the team’s name, the final lease and operational terms at TD Coliseum, and community-transition measures for Tortal Mortgage Arena. The bridgeport islanders’ decision to relocate sets a timeline for those discussions and signals further announcements ahead as the 2026-27 season approaches.
