CHICAGO, ILLINOIS — As the Chicago Steel prepare for their first season at their new home, USG Arena inside Blackhawks Ice Center presented by Fifth Third Bank, on Chicago's west side, the team has prepared a packed slate of new, exciting theme nights to highlight the 2026-2027 promotional schedule.
Exciting giveaways, dachshund and reptile races, celebrations of birthdays, music and movies are included in the highlights the team announced today.
The team's debut season at USG Arena kicks off with the Inaugural Opening Night on Saturday, Oct. 3 at 6:00 pm. Fans can take to the ice after the game for the first Post-Game Skate with the Steel of the season. Steel players will sign autographs and take photos with fans who can lace up their skates and participate in the fun.
Fans can look forward to several returning theme nights that have migrated with the team to Chicago, including the Teddy Bear Toss (Jan. 23), Wiener Dog Races (Feb. 13), and Star Wars Night (Feb. 27).
The slowest two minutes in sports will debut at USG Arena on Saturday, Nov. 7, during Turtle Races courtesy of Big Joe's 2 & 6 Pub, where four local turtles will look to achieve greatness during a long-standing tradition of slow-moving action at center ice.
This season will also mark the third consecutive season of the (maybe) fan-favorite promotion, Referee Appreciation Night, on Friday, March 19, where the Steel will continue to put the officials in the well-deserved spotlight for an evening.
Other noteworthy returning nights include mascot Rusty's Birthday on Sunday ,Feb. 28, with hilarity to be had during a mascot hockey game at intermission. The Steel will host Superhero Night on Friday, Dec. 18, a Celebration of Women in Sports and Business on Friday, Jan. 29, and Military Appreciation Night on Sunday, March 5.
While the team won't be making waffles, fans are invited into the Steel "swamp" for Ogre Day on Saturday, Oct. 10, for a Celebration of the 25th Anniversary of the hit DreamWorks movie, Shrek.
Fans looking to add to their Steel memorabilia collection can enjoy several giveaways throughout the season, including a Steel Woven Scarf on Wednesday, Nov. 25 for Black Out the Rink. On Saturday, Jan. 2, the first 500 fans will take home a replica Mini Goalie Helmet, and a special Bobblehead Giveaway for the first 500 fans is set for Saturday, March 20.
Chicago House Music Night (Nov. 20) will turn USG Arena into a party room as the Steel pay homage to the long-standing history of electronic dance music in Chicago that came to life in the 1980s.
Before the Chicago Marathon runs by Blackhawks Ice Center that weekend, Steel fans can join in the fun as runners will be invited to participate in the Steel 0K Night on Friday, Oct. 9.
A pair of holiday-themed nights are on the promo slate this season, including a Hat-Trick or Treat with a pre-game Trick or Treat for fans on Saturday, Oct. 24 and Windy City Wonderland with a holiday-themed Post-Game Skate with the Steel on Saturday, Dec. 19.
Fans will be asked to help give hockey sticks a second chance at life by bringing them to the rink for Second Chance Night presented by Stick Revival on Saturday, Nov. 21.
The Steel will continue to summon card collectors this season, as Sunday, Feb. 21 and Sunday, March 21 mark the team's two-part Trading Card Set Giveaway.
Fans can look forward to a unique jersey that will grace the ice for the team's Shut Out Cancer event presented by University of Chicago Medical Center on Saturday, Jan. 30, with a special jersey auction to benefit AbbVie Foundation Cancer Pavilion.
Friday, April 1 is Chasing Hardware Night before the team closes out its debut regular season in USG Arena on Saturday, April 3 on Fan Appreciation Night.
Fans will have four opportunities to Skate with the Steel with post-game events scheduled for Oct. 3, Saturday Dec. 19, Jan. 2, and Saturday, Feb. 13.
In addition to select players signing autographs following each regular season home game, fans can meet the entire team during Full Team Post-Game Autographs on Saturday, Oct. 24, Saturday, Jan. 23, Sunday, Feb. 21, and Sunday, March 21.
Promotions and giveaways are subject to change. Single game tickets are on sale now and start at just $15.
Group experiences, season ticket memberships, and premium seating tickets for the 2026-2027 season are also on sale now.
For more information, call 855-51-STEEL or visit ChicagoSteelHockeyTeam.com.
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