TUCSON, AZ – The Tucson Roadrunners, the American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate of the Utah Mammoth, today announced that the team will host the inaugural Southwest Showdown, an AHL preseason event featuring the Roadrunners, Pacific Division rivals the Colorado Eagles and Henderson Silver Knights, and the Central Division’s Texas Stars.
The weekend celebration signifying “Hockey Season is Here” will also feature the Roadrunners Annual Fan Fest. The weekend is presented by the Hampton Inn/Home2 Suites by Hilton Downtown Tucson, the DoubleTree by Hilton Tucson Downtown Convention Center and The Monica.
The three-day celebration will take place at Tucson Arena beginning Friday, September 25 and running through Sunday, Sept. 27. Each team will play a pair of preseason games.
The Southwest Showdown marks the first time the Roadrunners have hosted preseason games at Tucson Arena since 2021 and just the second time in franchise history the club has hosted home preseason games.
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“Our organization is excited to welcome hockey fans from across the Southwest for a unique weekend that celebrates the start of a new AHL season,” said Roadrunners President Bob Hoffman. “Hosting the inaugural Southwest Showdown is a tremendous opportunity for Tucson, and we’re proud to bring together four outstanding organizations for what we believe will become a special preseason tradition.”
The weekend begins on Friday, Sept. 25 with the Roadrunners Fan Fest from 6-8 p.m. at Tucson Arena. Fans will have the opportunity to meet the entire Roadrunners roster, with select players from the Colorado Eagles and Henderson Silver Knights also expected to attend. The free event will feature player autographs, games, public skating, music, food and beverages, interactive activities and more.
The Southwest Showdown game schedule
Saturday, Sept. 26
- Colorado Eagles vs. Texas Stars – 3 p.m.
- Henderson Silver Knights vs. Tucson Roadrunners – 7 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 27
- Henderson Silver Knights vs. Colorado Eagles – 3 p.m.
- Texas Stars vs. Tucson Roadrunners – 7 p.m.
The Roadrunners will face Henderson in their preseason opener on Saturday at 7 p.m. before wrapping up the weekend against Texas on Sunday at 7 p.m.
All tickets will be general admission, with no assigned seating. Tickets for the 3 p.m. games are $25, while tickets for the 7 p.m. games are $30. Fans can also purchase a Saturday or Sunday Day Pass, which includes admission to both games that day, for $45. A Two-Day Pass, which includes admission to all four games, is available for $75. Exclusive discounts for Roadrunners Season Ticket Members will be announced at a later date.
Presale tickets for the inaugural Southwest Showdown will be available beginning Aug. 24 at 10 a.m. exclusively to Season Ticket Members, corporate partners and fans registered with the Roadrunners. Tickets will go on sale to the general public Aug. 31 at 10 a.m. CLICK HERE to join the Roadrunners email/text list for early access.
In addition, a special Showdown/Monica Ticket Package will be available during the presale period beginning Aug. 24 at 10 a.m. The package includes a pair of Two-Day Passes and a $50 gift card to The Monica, located at 40 E. Congress St. in downtown Tucson. The package will also be available to the general public beginning Aug. 31 at 10 a.m.
Fans can also purchase tickets by calling 866-774-6253, visiting the Tucson Arena Box Office or online at TucsonRoadrunners.com/tickets.
Broadcast details for all four games, as well as the Roadrunners’ 2026 Training Camp schedule at Tucson Arena, will be announced at a later date.
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