If you’re a fan of Niagara sports then the next week is for you.
No fewer than four high-level Niagara based sports teams will take to their respective field of play in the next week.
It all starts Saturday when the Welland Jackfish will celebrate their (IBL now CBL – Canadian Baseball League) championship season in their 2026 home opener hosting the Guelph Regals. First pitch is set to fly at 6 pm in front of an already sold out crowd. Post-game fireworks will follow the final out.
For more information on the Welland Jackfish visit wellandjackfish.com
Monday in the nation’s capital, the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) back-back-back champion Niagara River Lions visit the Ottawa Blackjacks. Tip is set for 7pm. The game can be streamed online at plus.cebl.ca
The River Lions home opener is scheduled for Friday May 29 against the visiting Vancouver Bandits at Meridian Centre in downtown St. Catharines
More information on the River Lions can be found at riverlions.ca
Tuesday its all Niagara lacrosse battle when the St. Catharines Junior B Athletics welcome the Welland Raiders in Ontario Junior B Lacrosse League (OJBLL) action. Game time is 8 pm from Canada Games Park in Thorold.
Visit stcatharinesjrb.com for more information
A night later, Wednesday, at the same facility, Niagara’s oldest sporting franchise, the St. Catharines Jr. A Athletics (established in 1877) entertain Elora in their 2026 Ontario Junior Lacrosse League (OJLL) home opener. 8 pm is ball drop.
Check out stcatharinesjra.com for more information
And if baseball, basketball or lacrosse isn’t your thing, then the St. Catharines Club Roma Wolves regular season is well underway playing in the Ontario Premier League (OPL)
For more on Niagara’s highest level soccer, visit: romasoccer.com/about-opl-1
And when the calendar turns to June the region’s newest sporting franchise the Niagara Ironbacks, who play out of the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League (PGCBL) will take to the field in Merritton at George Taylor Field.
We still haven’t discussed the Niagara IceDogs, Brock Badgers or Niagara College Knights.
The Region’s sports landscape is one to be proud of.
Enjoy it.
Rod Mawhood is a lifelong Niagara native who has had the pleasure of working in all three mediums – Radio, Print and TV – for over 20 years. His first announcing gig was with the then St. Catharines Stompers. Since then he’s worked in radio and TV in Toronto, and currently is the announcer for the Niagara IceDogs and Niagara River Lions.
Rod also covers the Buffalo Bills for FOX Sports and the Buffalo Sabres for NBC Sports.
