Plans for April Start Date Cancelled Amidst COVID-19 Uncertainties; Full Season Now Planned for 2021-22 Season

Halifax, NS - February 3, 2021 – The National Lacrosse League (@NLL) announced today their plans for a season this spring have been cancelled due to uncertainties arising from the ongoing Pandemic. The league, with the full support of the NLL Board of Governors, will now move to start a traditional season in the fall of this year.

“The recent unforeseen setback in our return to play is unfortunate and disappointing, but in the interest of player, staff, and fan safety, we feel it is necessary to focus the health of all parties involved,” said Thunderbirds Owner/General Manager, Curt Styres. “We cannot wait to return to Halifax this fall, with the continued goal of bringing a Championship to the province.”

“We have gone through many scenarios, including playing a bubble season in Canada in April, but the logistical challenges, including the recently announced tighter travel and quarantine restrictions across the Canadian border have required us to pivot. We have decided to focus on playing a full season in our markets, starting in the fall of this year,” said NLL Commissioner Nick Sakiewicz. “All the efforts and innovations we were planning will now go towards a full season starting this fall and into next year. We thank our players, teams and Board of Governors, whose thoughts in this process were invaluable, and we now set our sights on getting lined up for a full NLL season starting in the fall.”

While the exact start date of a full season will be announced at a later date, which will include the debut of Panther City Lacrosse Club in Fort Worth, the NLL is planning to start in the fall, playing a complete season into the spring of 2022. Additionally, exciting franchise announcements are coming very soon, as well as other initiatives that were being planned for the shortened 2021 season.

“We appreciate the League’s extensive efforts to provide us the opportunity to play an abbreviated 2021 season in a safe and controlled environment throughout the changing landscape during this Pandemic.  While we are disappointed that it will not be possible to play this spring, we are even more excited and passionate about having a full 2021-22 season and are eager to get back on the floor this fall,” said Zach Currier, PLPA President.

"We want to thank everyone for their support, in particular, the team at Scotiabank Centre and the entire Halifax community, for all their help and support in trying to navigate through this challenging year. Although we are looking forward to returning to play, the safety of everyone has to take priority over everything else” said Thunderbirds President and CEO, John Catalano.

For all current Thunderbirds season ticket members, a ticket representative will be in contact with you over the next few weeks. We thank you for your patience and loyalty.