The Buffalo Bandits enter the 2026-27 National Lacrosse League season with a major change in goal and a chance to respond after their pursuit of a fourth consecutive championship ended in the first round of the playoffs. Veteran Matt Vinc has retired, and Zach Higgins has returned to Buffalo as the team prepares for a new season.

Coach John Tavares will oversee a training camp featuring more than 35 players, including new offensive and defensive options.

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Fans can follow the Bandits throughout the NLL regular season and playoffs on FloLacrosse and the FloSports app.

What To Know About The Buffalo Bandits In 2026-27

• 2025-26 record: 11-7; fifth place; lost to Georgia in the quarterfinals.
• Head coach: John Tavares.
• Season opener: Nov. 28, 2026, vs. Georgia Swarm, 7 p.m. ET.
• Where to watch: FloLacrosse and the FloSports app.

How Did The Buffalo Bandits Finish The 2025-26 NLL Season?

Buffalo finished 11-7 and fifth in the 14-team NLL standings, securing a playoff berth with help from a seven-game winning streak. Its season ended April 25 with a 17-10 road loss to the Georgia Swarm in a single-game quarterfinal.

Ian MacKay scored three goals and finished with five points in the defeat, while Josh Byrne led Buffalo with six points. The exit ended the Bandits' attempt to win a fourth consecutive championship and marked their first failure to advance beyond the opening playoff round since 2018.

Who Is The Buffalo Bandits Head Coach In 2026-27?

John Tavares returns as Buffalo's head coach. A longtime figure in franchise history, Tavares played 24 seasons for the Bandits before retiring in 2015. Steve Dietrich serves as general manager and defensive coordinator.

Training camp is scheduled to begin Oct. 31 at KeyBank Center, with more than 35 players competing for roles. The camp group is not a finalized regular-season roster.

What Are 3 Buffalo Bandits Roster Storylines To Watch In 2026-27?

1. Zach Higgins Arrives After Matt Vinc's Retirement

The biggest change comes in goal. Vinc, a veteran of Buffalo's championship run, was placed on the NLL retired list Aug. 21. The Bandits responded by selecting Higgins in the dispersal draft and signing him to a two-year contract.

Higgins previously played for Buffalo during the 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons and spent the past two seasons with Ottawa. His return gives the team an experienced option, but the Bandits have not confirmed their opening-night starter.

2. Payton Cormier Gets A New Opportunity On Offense

Buffalo acquired Payton Cormier from Vancouver on Sept. 14, sending Luca Antongiovanni and the No. 16 entry-draft pick to the Warriors. Cormier subsequently signed a one-year contract.

The left-side offensive addition has recorded eight points, including five goals, in 18 career NLL games. He arrives with an opportunity to compete for a larger role rather than a proven record as a leading professional scorer. How he fits into Buffalo's attack will be worth watching as camp develops.

3. First-Round Pick Dante Bowen Adds Defensive Competition

The Bandits selected Dante Bowen sixth overall in the 2026 NLL entry draft and signed him to a three-year contract. At Syracuse in 2026, Bowen recorded 16 ground balls and 14 caused turnovers in 19 games.

Those figures come from college field lacrosse, not NLL competition. Bowen joins a camp group that includes established defenders Steve Priolo and Cam Wyers. His first challenge is earning a place in the regular-season lineup, not immediately replacing a veteran.

How To Watch The Buffalo Bandits In The 2026-27 NLL Season

Fans can watch Buffalo Bandits games during the 2026-27 National Lacrosse League season on FloLacrosse and the FloSports app.

FloLacrosse carries NLL regular-season and playoff action, giving fans a way to follow Buffalo's campaign from its opening game against Georgia through its attempt to return to championship contention. The FloSports app also provides access to the coverage.

What Is The Buffalo Bandits 2026-27 NLL Schedule?

Buffalo plays 18 regular-season games, nine at home and nine on the road. The Bandits open at home against Georgia on Nov. 28 and conclude the regular season at home against Calgary on April 24.

All times Eastern (ET).

• Nov. 28, 2026: Georgia Swarm at Buffalo Bandits, 7 p.m. ET
• Dec. 19, 2026: Buffalo Bandits at Halifax Thunderbirds, 6 p.m. ET
• Dec. 27, 2026: Toronto Rock at Buffalo Bandits, 6 p.m. ET
• Jan. 2, 2027: Vancouver Warriors at Buffalo Bandits, 7 p.m. ET
• Jan. 9, 2027: Buffalo Bandits at Georgia Swarm, 7:30 p.m. ET
• Jan. 23, 2027: San Diego Seals at Buffalo Bandits, 7 p.m. ET
• Jan. 30, 2027: Buffalo Bandits at Las Vegas Desert Dogs, 10 p.m. ET
• Feb. 5, 2027: Buffalo Bandits at Toronto Rock, 7:30 p.m. ET
• Feb. 20, 2027: Halifax Thunderbirds at Buffalo Bandits, 7 p.m. ET
• March 6, 2027: Buffalo Bandits at San Diego Seals, 10 p.m. ET
• March 13, 2027: Colorado Mammoth at Buffalo Bandits, 7 p.m. ET
• March 19, 2027: Buffalo Bandits at Vancouver Warriors, 10 p.m. ET
• March 20, 2027: Buffalo Bandits at Saskatchewan Rush, 9 p.m. ET
• March 27, 2027: Oshawa FireWolves at Buffalo Bandits, 7 p.m. ET
• April 3, 2027: Rochester Knighthawks at Buffalo Bandits, 7 p.m. ET
• April 10, 2027: Buffalo Bandits at Rochester Knighthawks, 7 p.m. ET
• April 17, 2027: Buffalo Bandits at Oshawa FireWolves, 7 p.m. ET
• April 24, 2027: Calgary Roughnecks at Buffalo Bandits, 7 p.m. ET

FloLacrosse Archived Footage

Video footage from the event will be archived and stored in a video library for FloLacrosse subscribers to watch for the duration of their subscription.

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