Orlando Florida, September 3, 2025
News Summary
The UCF Men’s Knights Hockey Club has announced its upcoming season schedule, marking its entry into the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) with aspirations to qualify for the ACHA National Championships. The schedule includes a September home opener and various regional matchups featuring new opponents. Additionally, a separate effort is underway to establish UCF’s first women’s hockey team, demonstrating a growing interest in collegiate hockey at the university.
Orlando — The UCF Men’s Knights Hockey Club released its 2025-2026 season schedule on August 15 and announced entry into the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA), with a stated goal of reaching the ACHA National Championships in March 2026. The schedule introduces several new opponents and a mix of regional matchups, including a September home opener and a December Tampa showcase.
Season Announcement and Goals
The Knights’ move into the ACHA marks a formal step toward competing at a national level. The team’s primary objective for the season is qualification for the ACHA National Championships in March 2026. The schedule released includes regular-season dates, regional showcases, and several first-time opponents that are expected to create new rivalries and increase competitive opportunities.
2025-2026 Schedule
The announced schedule covers September through February and includes home-and-away series, single games, and a multi-day showcase. The full posted dates are listed below for reference.
Key Dates
- September 12-13: The Citadel vs UCF (Home Opener)
- September 26-27: UCF vs Lynn University
- October 3: University of South Florida vs UCF
- October 4: UCF vs University of South Florida
- October 10-11: UCF vs Kennesaw State
- November 7: UCF vs Embry Riddle University
- November 8: Embry Riddle University vs UCF
- November 14-15: UCF vs University of Miami
- November 21: UCF vs Florida Southern College
- November 22: Florida Southern College vs UCF
- December 5-7: Tampa Showcase
- January 16-17: UCF vs University of South Carolina
- January 23: UCF vs Embry Riddle University
- January 24: Embry Riddle University vs UCF
- January 30-31: Florida Atlantic University vs UCF
- February 6-7: University of Florida vs UCF
- February 13-14: UCF vs Florida Atlantic University
New Opponents and Rivalries
The schedule brings several first-time or renewed matchups. Notable new opponents include The Citadel, University of South Carolina, Kennesaw State University, and Niagara University. Organizers expect these matchups to increase the team’s exposure and to provide more competitive play as the Knights pursue a national bid.
Proposed Women’s Hockey Team
A separate but related development involves student efforts to form UCF’s first women’s hockey team. The student leading the effort is a sophomore majoring in media production and management, and the initiative is supported by a UCF journalism instructor acting as faculty advisor for the proposed Registered Student Organization (RSO).
The group has exceeded the minimum membership requirement for an official team, reporting 23 members compared with the RSO threshold of 12. Student interest appears strong on social media, with more than 200 likes on promotion posts, indicating community-level enthusiasm ahead of formal recognition.
Key obstacles for the proposed women’s team include securing regular ice time and meeting fundraising needs. Equipment costs are a significant factor; for example, a single hockey stick can cost around $300, placing a financial burden on many college students. Organizers are focused on fundraising, equipment acquisition, and scheduling ice time to create a sustainable program.
Support, Logistics, and Institutional Role
The faculty advisor emphasizes the university’s potential role in expanding athletic opportunities and notes the importance of community and peer support, including allies from the men’s program. The Knights Hockey Club has stated a broader objective of establishing a lasting program legacy that benefits future generations of players at UCF.
Context and Next Steps
With the men’s team now competing in the ACHA and a formal schedule in place, the coming season will test the program’s readiness for regional and national competition. Meanwhile, the proposed women’s team is moving through student organization steps while addressing logistical and financial challenges. Both efforts reflect growing interest in collegiate hockey at UCF and a push toward broader campus engagement in the sport.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Knights’ ACHA entry affect the 2025-2026 season?
Entering the ACHA formalizes the Knights’ competition at the national club level and sets a target of qualifying for the ACHA National Championships in March 2026. The official schedule aligns with that goal and includes regional opponents and showcase events.
When is the home opener and who are the new opponents?
The home opener is scheduled for September 12-13 against The Citadel. New opponents listed for the season include The Citadel, University of South Carolina, Kennesaw State University, and Niagara University.
What is the status of the proposed UCF women’s hockey team?
The proposed women’s team has exceeded the membership requirement for an RSO with 23 members and has a faculty advisor. The main challenges remaining are securing ice time and raising funds for equipment and operations.
How much does hockey equipment cost for students?
Equipment costs vary, but individual items such as hockey sticks can be around $300. Total startup costs for a player can be substantially higher when accounting for skates, pads, helmets, and other gear.
Who is supporting the formation of the women’s team?
A student leader and a journalism instructor serving as faculty advisor are guiding the effort, and organizers report growing student interest and social media engagement.
Key Features Chart
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Men’s Team | Entered ACHA; full 2025-2026 schedule announced; goal to reach ACHA Nationals |
| Home Opener | September 12-13 vs The Citadel |
| Showcase | Tampa Showcase, December 5-7 |
| New Opponents | The Citadel, University of South Carolina, Kennesaw State, Niagara |
| Women’s Team Status | Student-led effort with 23 members; faculty advisor in place; fundraising and ice time outstanding |
| Major Challenge | Equipment costs (example: hockey stick ≈ $300), scheduling ice time, fundraising |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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Additional Resources
- Knight News: UCF Men’s Knights Hockey Club Releases 2025-2026 Season Schedule
- Nicholson Student Media: UCF Students Push Women’s Hockey Club
- Go Heels: Men’s Soccer to Open Season at Home Thursday vs UCF
- Google Search: ACHA National Championships
- NCAA: Former NCAA DI Hockey Players in 2025 Stanley Cup Final
Author: STAFF HERE ORLANDO WRITER
ORLANDO STAFF WRITER The ORLANDO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREOrlando.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Orlando, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival, Megacon Orlando, and Central Florida Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Orlando Economic Partnership and Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Metro Orlando, plus leading businesses in leisure and hospitality that power the local economy such as Walt Disney World Resort, AdventHealth, and Universal Orlando. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREPetersburg.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
