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After nearly two decades, NHL hockey is returning to Hershey, Pennsylvania, as the Washington Capitals face the Philadelphia Flyers in a preseason game on Thursday, September 25, at the Giant Center. This marks the first NHL preseason game in Hershey since the Capitals played the New Jersey Devils 19 years ago.
The Capitals, the parent club of the Hershey Bears, announced the game as part of their 2025-26 preseason schedule. The Bears and Capitals have enjoyed a successful affiliation since the 2005-06 season, with Hershey winning five Calder Cups during this partnership. When the Capitals secured the Stanley Cup in 2018, 14 players on the playoff roster had previously played in Hershey.
Tickets for the game will be available to the public starting Friday, July 18, at 10 a.m. through HersheyEntertainment.com and Ticketmaster.com. There will also be a presale for Hershey Bears and Washington Capitals season ticket holders.
The Capitals' senior vice president and general manager, Chris Patrick, expressed excitement about bringing the team to Hershey, noting the area's rich hockey tradition and the strong connection between the Capitals and the local community. The game is part of a broader preseason schedule that includes matches against the Boston Bruins, New Jersey Devils, and Columbus Blue Jackets.