Buffalo Bandits Win 2026 Home Opener & Raise 7th Championship Banner To The Rafters

While it doesn't seem like it, it's been a quick six months since the Buffalo Bandits made lacrosse history in downtown Buffalo.

On May 25, 2025, the Bandits scored a victory in game three of the NLL Finals against the Saskatchewan Rush, winning their 7th NLL Championship, which is their third 3-peat, and helped to solidify the Bandits in NLL History as the team with the most NLL Championships ever. Just six months later, on Saturday, November 29, 2025, the Bandits kicked off their 2025/26 season with a championship banner-raising ceremony at the KeyBank Center.

Buffalo Bandits Raise 7th Championship Banner To The Rafters

Hosted in a sold-out KeyBank Center in front of 19,070 fans, the 7th NLL Championship Banner was raised into the rafters as Banditland cheered loud and proud.

That ceremony preceded the season-opening game against the Georgia Swarm.

Bandits Defeat Georgia Swarm In 2025/26 Season Opener

As the defending league champions, the Bandits quickly returned to their winning form as a strong offense helped them dispatch the Swarm with relative ease.

Led by the great Dhane Smith, who had four goals and four assists, the Bandits poured on the offense fast with 13 players scoring at least one point over the 4 quarters. Of those 13, nine separate players earned more than one point in a good effort to grab the first victory of the year.

Not only did Tehoka Nanticoke score his 100th career goal in an amazing unassisted effort, but both Ryan Benesch and Mitch de Snoo also scored goals in their first games back in Buffalo as Bandits.

With the first victory wrapped up, the Bandits now look to grab their fourth consecutive NLL championship.

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