Washington Capitals, Philadelphia Flyers to play preseason game at Hershey’s GIANT Center

HERSHEY, Pa. (WHTM) – For the first time in nearly 20 years, the NHL will come to Hershey’s GIANT Center.

The Hershey Bears announced Thursday that the Washington Capitals will host the Philadelphia Flyers in a preseason matchup on Thursday, September 25 at 7 p.m.

Tickets will go on sale to the public on Friday, July 18, at 10 a.m. online on the Hershey Entertainment website and Ticketmaster. Bears and Capitals season ticket holders will have a presale opportunity.

“We’re excited to bring our team to Hershey for this preseason matchup against the Philadelphia Flyers,” said Washington senior vice president and general manager Chris Patrick. “Hershey has a rich hockey tradition and we are proud to be a part of that legacy through our longstanding and successful partnership with our AHL affiliate. The affiliation between our two organizations has been essential in developing our players, instilling our organizational values, and building a strong connection with the local community. We look forward to the chance to engage with the passionate and loyal fans who make Hershey such a special place for hockey.”

The last time the GIANT Center hosted an NHL team was 2006 when the Capitals lost to the New Jersey Devils.

Philadelphia is coming off a 33-39-10 season that led to them earning the sixth overall pick in the NHL Draft. They’ll be led by veteran head coach and former Flyer Rick Tocchet in his first year behind the Flyers’ bench.

Washington, the NHL affiliate of the Hershey Bears, won the Metropolitan Division last season with 51 wins. The season was highlighted by Alex Ovechkin’s historic chase to Wayne Gretzky’s all-time record of 894 goals.

Washington is led by former Bears head coach Spencer Carbery, who won the Jack Adams Award as the NHL’s best head coach in his first season with the Capitals.

The 2025 NHL schedule will be released later this summer.