REGISTRATIONS SELLING OUT FAST!
PREVIOUS YEAR'S HIGHLIGHTS
THE 2026 BACKYARD CLASSIC
3+ GAME GUARANTEE
Round robin play plus playoffs. All games scheduled efficiently.
6 COVERED RINKS
6 rinks cross ice, played on two full size rinks. Perfect ice to play on.
ALL AGES WELCOME
Divisions from 6U to 50+. Competitive and recreational brackets.
FOR A GREAT CAUSE
100% of proceeds support grieving children & families.
WHY THIS TOURNAMENT SELLS OUT EVERY YEAR:
🏆 ALL AGES & SKILL LEVELS
Youth Divisions (24 total): Boys & Girls | 6U, 8U, 10U, 12U, 14U, 16U/18U | House & Travel brackets for each age group
Adult Divisions (4 total): Under 30 Recreational | Under 30 Competitive | Over 30 Recreational | Over 50 Recreational
⛸️ 6 COVERED RINKS
Play cross-ice on two full-size rinks at Buffalo Riverworks with perfect ice conditions
🎯 3+ GAME GUARANTEE + PLAYOFFS
Every team gets at least 3 games, with top seeds advancing to playoff rounds. Maximum ice time, maximum fun!
⏰ TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE & FORMAT ⏰
📅 ONE DAY, ALL YOUR GAMES
All your games—round robin AND playoffs—happen on YOUR scheduled day (Saturday OR Sunday). No coming back the next day. Plan your weekend accordingly!
Please note - depending on when you register, one of the days may be sold out.
⚠️ DON'T WAIT – LAST YEAR SOLD OUT ⚠️
17 years strong and growing every season. Teams travel from across the region for this. Your competition is already forming. Your friends are already talking about it.
The question isn't "should we register?"
The question is "can we still get a spot?"
📍 Buffalo Riverworks, Buffalo, NY
📅 March 28-29, 2026
💙 Hockey with Heart – Fun with Purpose. All proceeds go to charity for grieving children & families.
HOCKEY WITH HEART
Helping WNY families when they need it most.
This powerful, grassroots community nonprofit is the “go to” source of assistance in WNY, for families facing pediatric cancer, as well as much needed Grief Counseling for sudden family losses.
We aim to create a community where healing, resilience, and hope flourish, empowering families to thrive, despite their losses.
The Backyard Classic is honored to be part of their team and proud to support their mission!
Every shift you take, every goal you score, every laugh you share with your teammates – it all goes toward helping WNY families when they need it most.
You're not just playing hockey for fun. You're making a real difference while doing it.
SPONSORS
Tops Friendly Markets
Buffalo Sabres
Dival Safety
New Era Cap
Lawley Insurance
Geico
T-Mobile
Tim Hortons
Aquest Development
Trusted Nurse Staffing
Pace Ice Rinks
City Fence
Rebecca Nalbach Photography
David Uschold Photography
Friends of Carly
Lamparelli Construction Co., Inc.
Pyramid Brokers
Pyramid Brokers
FREEZER FULL OF MEAT
We're giving away a freezer full of meat!
COOLER FULL OF BOOZE
Want a cooler full of booze for the upcoming summer?
BASKET RAFFLES
Baskets full of goodies available for taking!
THE BACKYARD CLASSIC EXPERIENCE
HEATED LOCKER ROOMS
BARS & RESTAURANT OPEN
LIVE MUSIC
VENDOR VILLAGE
FULL NETS & GOALIES
POND HOCKEY AT ITS BEST
BENEFITS CHARITY
ULTRA FUN EXPERIENCE
BRING THE WHOME FAMILY