ECHL
New Mexico Goatheads announce home opener date
The ECHL expansion team will bring professional hockey back to New Mexico for the first time in nearly 20 years
The New Mexico Goatheads will make their debut Friday, Oct. 16 at the Rio Rancho Events Center. The puck will drop at 7 p.m.
This is the first game in the ECHL expansion franchise鈥檚 history and marks the return of professional hockey to New Mexico for the first time in nearly two decades.
The first 6,000 fans in attendance to the Goatheads鈥 first game will receive LED glow rods.
The ECHL will announce the opponent and full 2026鈥27 schedule later this week.
The Goatheads 鈥 affiliates of the NHL鈥檚 Colorado Avalanche and the AHL鈥檚 Colorado Eagles 鈥 will play a 72-game schedule and all home games will be played at the Rio Rancho Events Center.
For tickets and information, visit .
More on the Goatheads
-
What goes into putting on a hockey game? NMOIO is ready to do so for Goatheads
After seasons behind the scenes with the Ice Wolves, NMOIO is ready for the ECHL
-
Practice makes perfect: Goatheads crown McDermott Athletic Center as official practice home
The franchise and the athletic center announced their partnership on June 3
-
Playoff Party: Goatheads host viewing at THE BLOCK as affiliate Avalanche battle in Western Conference Finals
With their affiliate team in search of another Stanley Cup, the Goatheads are channeling the playoff energy in RR
-
Goatheads release full season schedule, 36 home games set for Rio Rancho Events Center
New Mexico's newest team is set for action from October 2026 to April 2027
-
New Mexico Goatheads announce inaugural game, home opener for Oct. 16
New Mexico's newest team will hit the ice for the first time at the Rio Rancho Events Center