Raiders Announce Pre-Season Games Including Clash with Les Bisons!
The countdown to the 2025/26 season begins now, and we’re thrilled to kick things off with an exciting series of pre-season games, including an international exhibition game!
On Friday, 5th September, the Romford Raiders will host Neuilly Sur Marne- “AKA, Les Bisons” at the Sapphire Ice & Leisure, with face-off at 7:15 PM. The French side, from the FFHG Division 1 league, promises to bring fast-paced, European hockey to Romford in a fixture that’s sure to entertain.
Raiders have a proud history of welcoming international teams to Romford, dating back to 1987, when we first faced Swedish side A.I.G Kagedalens in a narrow 7–8 defeat. Since then, we’ve been honoured to host teams from Switzerland, Canada, Finland, Australia, Ukraine, and the USA, each bringing a unique style of play to the ice.
Hosting exhibition games like these allows our fans and players to witness and compete against different hockey cultures, and we’re excited to welcome Les Bisons to Romford.
Franck Spinozzi, General Manager of Les Bisons, shared his enthusiasm for the event:
“We’re really pleased to announce that we’ll be travelling to UK to face both the Peterborough Phantoms and the Romford Raiders. It’s a great opportunity for our club to expand our preparation, experience a different style of hockey, and test ourselves against quality opposition.
These games are an important part of our preseason build-up. Competing internationally helps our group grow on and off the ice, and we’re proud to represent our club in these kinds of matchups.”
But the international action is just the beginning…
Hot after our clash with Les Bisons, we face back-to-back games against Milton Keynes Lightning. We travel to Buckinghamshire on Saturday 6th September, face-off 7 PM, which is followed by the return leg on Sunday 7th September at the Sapphire, face-off at 5:15 PM. Last season’s encounters with MK were full of energy and intensity — the perfect matchup to warm up for the new campaign.
To round out our pre-season, we’ll face off against long-standing rivals, the Peterborough Phantoms. We welcome them to Romford on Saturday 13th September (face-off 5:15 PM), then travel to theirbarn on Sunday 14th September, with face-off at 5:30 PM.
Please note: Pre-season games are not included in your season ticket, but you will be able to purchase your reserved seat.
We are fast approaching puck drop on a brand-new season — make sure to mark these dates in your diary and secure your tickets from Friday!
Let’s fill the Sapphire and get ready for another unforgettable season of Raiders hockey!