A Familiar Destination Returns
The Washington Capitals have released their 2026‑27 preseason schedule, confirming a return to the GIANT Center in Hershey, Pennsylvania for a matchup against the Philadelphia Flyers on September 21. This marks the second straight year the Capitals have staged a preseason game in Hershey, reinforcing a partnership that has endured for more than two decades.
A Legacy of Calder Cups
The affiliation between the Capitals and the Hershey Bears dates back to the 2005‑06 season and has produced a steady pipeline of talent. During that time the Bears have captured five Calder Cups, and several players who have worn Hershey jerseys have later contributed to Washington’s playoff success. In 2018, fourteen members of the Capitals’ championship roster had previously skated in Hershey, a testament to the depth of the relationship.
Preseason Road Trip Across the Northeast
Washington’s exhibition calendar begins on September 20 with a game at TD Garden in Boston against the Boston Bruins. The Capitals will then travel back to Pennsylvania for their Hershey appearance on September 21 before concluding the preseason on September 26 at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia against the Flyers. The team finished the previous preseason with a 5‑1‑0 record and boasts an all‑time preseason mark of 187‑138‑33‑19.