The Toronto Rock enter the 2026-27 National Lacrosse League season defending their seventh championship, but they will begin without reigning Rookie of the Year CJ Kirst. Kirst is expected to miss the start of the season after suffering a lower-body injury during the outdoor season.

Coach Matt Sawyer returns after guiding Toronto from the No. 6 playoff seed to the 2026 title. The Rock have also selected Silas Richmond second overall in the NLL entry draft, bringing another young prospect into the organization.

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Fans can follow Toronto's title defense on FloLacrosse and the FloSports app throughout the regular season and playoffs.

What To Know About The Toronto Rock In 2026-27

• 2025-26 record: 11-7; sixth place; NLL champions.
• Head coach: Matt Sawyer.
• Season opener: Nov. 28, 2026, vs. San Diego Seals, 7 p.m. ET.
• Where to watch: FloLacrosse and the FloSports app.

How Did The Toronto Rock Finish The 2025-26 NLL Season?

Toronto finished 11-7 and sixth in the 14-team NLL standings before putting together a championship playoff run.

The Rock defeated third-seeded Saskatchewan 16-13 in the single-game quarterfinal, then eliminated San Diego 2-1 in the best-of-three semifinals. Toronto swept Halifax in the NLL Finals, winning 13-11 and 12-7 to capture the franchise's seventh championship.

Rookie Sam English earned Finals MVP honors. The question entering 2026-27 is whether Toronto can defend its title while managing early-season injuries.

Who Is The Toronto Rock Head Coach In 2026-27?

Matt Sawyer returns as the Toronto Rock's head coach after leading the franchise to the 2026 NLL championship. Jamie Dawick serves as owner and general manager.

Toronto's training camp is scheduled to open Oct. 31 at the Toronto Rock Athletic Centre in Oakville, with the first exhibition game set for Nov. 7.

What Are 3 Toronto Rock Roster Storylines To Watch In 2026-27?

1. CJ Kirst Will Miss The Start Of Toronto's Title Defense

The Rock will open their championship defense without CJ Kirst, the reigning NLL Rookie of the Year. Toronto announced that Kirst suffered a lower-body injury during the outdoor season and will miss the beginning of the 2026-27 campaign.

The club expects him to rejoin the team in the new year, but no specific return date has been confirmed. His absence creates an immediate lineup challenge for Sawyer as Toronto tries to maintain its championship form.

2. No. 2 Pick Silas Richmond Is A Prospect To Watch

Toronto selected Silas Richmond second overall in the 2026 NLL entry draft, adding a high-profile prospect to its championship organization.

Kirst's absence could create opportunities for other players, but Richmond has not been confirmed as his replacement or as an opening-night contributor. The Rock still must settle the prospect's immediate roster status and role.

His development gives fans another storyline to follow as the defending champions prepare for the season.

3. Returning Veterans Add Depth, But Injuries Remain A Factor

The Rock re-signed Lucas Hucal to a two-year agreement, while Steven Orleman, Jake Darlison and Zack Kearney each signed one-year deals. Orleman returns to a goaltending group that also includes Nick Rose and Troy Holowchuk.

Those agreements help Toronto retain familiar personnel following its title run, but not every returning player is available immediately. Kearney is set to begin the season on injured reserve, giving Sawyer another early roster issue to manage.

How To Watch The Toronto Rock In The 2026-27 NLL Season

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

FloLacrosse carries the NLL regular season and playoffs, allowing fans to follow Toronto from its home opener against San Diego through its pursuit of an eighth franchise championship.

What Is The Toronto Rock 2026-27 NLL Schedule?

Toronto plays 18 regular-season games, nine at home and nine on the road. The Rock open at home against San Diego on Nov. 28 and conclude the regular season at Saskatchewan on April 17.

All times Eastern (ET).

• Nov. 28, 2026: San Diego Seals at Toronto Rock, 7 p.m. ET
• Dec. 18, 2026: Saskatchewan Rush at Toronto Rock, 7:30 p.m. ET
• Dec. 27, 2026: Toronto Rock at Buffalo Bandits, 6 p.m. ET
• Jan. 8, 2027: Toronto Rock at Halifax Thunderbirds, 6:30 p.m. ET
• Jan. 10, 2027: Halifax Thunderbirds at Toronto Rock, 1 p.m. ET
• Jan. 15, 2027: Toronto Rock at Vancouver Warriors, 10 p.m. ET
• Jan. 22, 2027: Las Vegas Desert Dogs at Toronto Rock, 7:30 p.m. ET
• Jan. 29, 2027: Toronto Rock at Colorado Mammoth, 9 p.m. ET
• Feb. 5, 2027: Buffalo Bandits at Toronto Rock, 7:30 p.m. ET
• Feb. 13, 2027: Toronto Rock at Calgary Roughnecks, 9 p.m. ET
• Feb. 20, 2027: Toronto Rock at Rochester Knighthawks, 7 p.m. ET
• Feb. 21, 2027: Rochester Knighthawks at Toronto Rock, 3 p.m. ET
• Feb. 26, 2027: Toronto Rock at Georgia Swarm, 7:30 p.m. ET
• March 6, 2027: Georgia Swarm at Toronto Rock, 7 p.m. ET
• March 20, 2027: Toronto Rock at Oshawa FireWolves, 7 p.m. ET
• March 26, 2027: Oshawa FireWolves at Toronto Rock, 7:30 p.m. ET
• April 9, 2027: Vancouver Warriors at Toronto Rock, 7:30 p.m. ET
• April 17, 2027: Toronto Rock at Saskatchewan Rush, 9 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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