National Lacrosse League to Move Forward with 12 Active Member Clubs for 2026-27 Season

PHILADELPHIA (Sept. 10, 2026) – The National Lacrosse League (NLL) announced that the Ottawa Black Bears and Philadelphia Wings have discontinued operations and will not participate in the 2026-27 season. The NLL will move forward with 12 active member clubs as it prepares for its 40^th anniversary season.

The decision follows extensive efforts by the League to identify viable paths forward for both franchises. The NLL evaluates the long-term sustainability of its member clubs across several core areas, including committed ownership, venue and lease conditions, local market infrastructure, operational capabilities and sustained investment in the fan experience.

“Today is a difficult day for the National Lacrosse League and, most importantly, for the fans, players, employees and partners who have supported the Ottawa Black Bears and Philadelphia Wings,” said NLL Commissioner Brett Frood. “These are proud lacrosse markets with passionate communities, and we are grateful to everyone who has invested their time, energy and belief in these clubs. As we enter our 40^th anniversary season, our responsibility is to provide certainty for our constituents and move forward with 12 active member clubs aligned behind the League’s collective future.”

Ottawa and Philadelphia remain important markets to the NLL. The League will consider future opportunities in either community if the long-term conditions and partners necessary to support a sustainable franchise are established.

With the 2026-27 season approaching, the League has also set a revised player transaction calendar to provide clarity for affected players and all 12 active member clubs.

Beginning at 4 p.m. ET on Sept. 10, NLL clubs may communicate with eligible Ottawa and Philadelphia players in accordance with League dispersal procedures.

The Ottawa and Philadelphia player pools will be combined for a single NLL Dispersal Draft at 4

p.m. ET on Sept. 15. In accordance with NLL By-laws, clubs will select in reverse order based on their regular-season winning percentages over the two most recently completed seasons, with the most recent season weighted at 70 percent. The reigning NLL Finals champion will select last.

Following the NLL Dispersal Draft, clubs may sign selected players and negotiate with selected unrestricted free agents, subject to applicable NLL rules and procedures.

The NLL Dispersal Draft order is as follows:

1. Oshawa FireWolves
2. Las Vegas Desert Dogs
3. Rochester Knighthawks
4. Calgary Roughnecks
5. San Diego Seals
6. Halifax Thunderbirds
7. Colorado Mammoth
8. Georgia Swarm
9. Buffalo Bandits
10. Saskatchewan Rush
11. Vancouver Warriors
12. Toronto Rock

Franchise player designations are due by 4 p.m. ET on Sept. 18, with free agency beginning at 5 p.m. ET. During free agency, clubs may negotiate with and sign eligible rostered restricted free agents (RFAs) and unrestricted free agents (UFAs) in accordance with NLL rules.

The 2026 NLL Entry Draft presented by Capelli Sport will take place at 6 p.m. ET on Sept. 24.

“This revised timeline gives our clubs the opportunity to address their rosters in a logical and structured manner, beginning with the dispersal draft and then moving into free agency and the entry draft,” Frood said. “Just as importantly, it establishes a clear path forward for players throughout the League and allows everyone to make informed decisions as we build toward the 2026-27 season.”

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About the National Lacrosse League

The National Lacrosse League (NLL) is North America’s largest professional lacrosse league and welcomed more than 1 million fans for the fourth consecutive year during the 2025-26 season. Founded in 1986, the NLL has 12 active member clubs across Canada and the United States. Its comprehensive youth participation development grassroots initiative, NLL

UnBOXed™, will expand the League’s footprint to 60 communities across North America by 2028. For the latest scores and developments in the National Lacrosse League, please visit NLL.com and find the NLL on Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube and TikTok.