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Yahoo
18 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Winnipeg Jets Reveal Promotional Schedule for 2025-26 Season
The Winnipeg Jets reveal the promotional schedule ahead of the 2025-26 season including cultural nights, epic giveaways and fun theme nights. The Winnipeg Jets have unveiled their full promotional schedule for the 2025-26 NHL season, bringing a fresh mix of fan-favorite events, brand-new theme nights, and community-focused initiatives to Canada Life Centre. With a packed calendar of giveaways, cultural celebrations, and cause-driven nights, the organization is once again aiming to deliver a memorable game-day experience on and off the ice. The season launches in style on October 9 with the Home Opener presented by Canada Life, as the Jets renew their playoff rivalry with the Dallas Stars. Every fan in attendance will receive a team-branded toque courtesy of Canada Life, setting the tone for a season that promises to blend high-stakes hockey with fan-first entertainment. Just two nights later, the Opening Weekend Celebration on October 11 will hand out mini banners to the first 5,000 fans, commemorating the Jets' historic 2024-25 campaign that saw them capture both the Presidents' Trophy and Central Division title. Divisional Focus: Jets Look For Redemption When Battling Stars The Jets aim to win four crucial divisional games over the Dallas Stars next season A highlight of this year's schedule is the introduction of several new theme games designed to energize the fan base and bring new energy into the arena. The Hoser Game, Après Ski Night, and the St. Patrick's Day Game headline the additions, offering fans chances to dress up, win prizes, and celebrate the lighter side of hockey culture. On March 14, fans at the Hoser Game will receive trapper hats, while Après Ski Night on January 9 will see ski goggles handed out to the first 5,000 attendees. Green will be the color of choice on March 17, as the St. Patrick's Day Game adds a lucky twist to the calendar. Classic theme nights will also return in full force. On October 24, 90s Night brings retro vibes and corduroy snapbacks to the crowd. Country Night on March 7 features cowboy hat giveaways, and the always popular Halloween Game on October 30 gives fans a reason to get creative with costumes. December 15's Holiday Game promises festive cheer and surprise gifts, while the season wraps up on April 16 with Fan Appreciation Night, packed with giveaways as a thank you to the Jets faithful. The season will again spotlight Winnipeg's cultural diversity through a series of heritage nights. Ukrainian Heritage Night returns January 6 after a successful debut last season. Filipino Heritage Night (November 18), South Asian Heritage Night presented by Canada Life (December 5), WASAC Night presented by Scotiabank (January 24), and Black History Night (March 3) will showcase the rich cultures that make up the Manitoba community, featuring themed food, music, and entertainment. True to tradition, the Jets continue to use their platform to raise awareness for important causes. Child Advocacy Night on October 18 will support Toba Centre for Children and Youth, while the Pride Game on November 1 will benefit local 2SLGBTQ+ organizations. November 23 marks Hockey Fights Cancer Night in support of CancerCare Manitoba Foundation, with Hockey Talks Night following on January 17 in partnership with Project 11. Canadian Armed Forces Appreciation Night (January 13), Celebrating Women in Sport Night (March 5), and Parkinson's Awareness Night (April 11) round out the team's commitment to advocacy and inclusion. Another season highlight comes on March 26, when Jerseys Off Our Backs Night returns. Each player will gift a lucky fan their game-worn or game-issued jersey in a fan-favorite postgame tradition. Winnipeg's Cole Perfetti Poised For Breakout Season in 2025 Winnipeg Jets winger Cole Perfetti has the makings to produce a breakout season with new line additions and more minutes expected. Fans can explore the full promotional schedule, purchase tickets, and stay up to date on additional initiatives throughout the season. With a mix of fresh ideas, meaningful partnerships, and crowd-pleasing giveaways, the 2025-26 Winnipeg Jets season is set to deliver more than just hockey—it's shaping up to be a celebration of community, culture, and connection. Winnipeg Jets 2025-26 Promotional Schedule: Sept. 21 – Season Ticket Member Appreciation Game Oct. 9 – Home Opener presented by Canada Life – toque giveaway Oct. 11 – Opening Weekend Celebration – Jets mini banner giveaway to the first 5,000 fans Oct. 18 – Child Advocacy Night Oct. 24 – 90s Night – Jets corduroy snapback hat giveaway to the first 5,000 fans Oct. 30 – Halloween Game Nov. 1 – Pride Game Nov. 18 – Filipino Heritage Night Nov. 23 – Hockey Fights Cancer Dec. 5 – South Asian Heritage Night Dec. 15 – Holiday Game Jan. 6 – Ukrainian Heritage Night Jan. 9 – Après Ski Night – Jets ski goggle giveaway to the first 5,000 fans Jan. 13 – Canadian Armed Forces Appreciation Night Jan. 17 – Hockey Talks Night Jan. 24 – WASAC Night presented by Scotiabank March 3 – Black History Night March 5 – Celebrating Women in Sport March 7 – Country Night – Jets cowboy hat giveaway to the first 5,000 fans March 14 – Hoser Game – Jets trapper hat giveaway to the first 5,000 fans March 17 – St. Patrick's Day March 26 – Jerseys Off Our Backs April 11 – Parkinson's Awareness Night April 16 – Fan Appreciation 2025-26 Heritage Jersey Schedule: October 23 vs. Seattle Kraken October 24 vs. Calgary Flames October 26 vs. Utah Mammoth December 9 vs. Dallas Stars December 11 vs. Boston Bruins December 13 vs. Washington Capitals December 15 vs. Ottawa Senators January 22 vs. Florida Panthers January 24 vs. Detroit Red Wings March 12 vs. New York Rangers March 14 vs. Colorado Avalanche March 15 vs. St. Louis Blues March 17 vs. Nashville Predators See the full 2025-26 promotional schedule, details on promotional games and purchase tickets at Jets Fantasy Hockey Outlook: Nyquist in Question, Hellebuyck Still Elite, Perfetti's Rising Stock Early Fantasy Hockey projections spotlight Cole Perfetti's breakout potential, questions around Gustav Nyquist, and Connor Hellebuyck's top goalie status.
Yahoo
18 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Journie Rewards Creates Life-Changing Experiences for Driving Academy Families
Financial Support, New Equipment and Unmatched Mentorship Highlight Summer to Remember Jack Klym celebrates win JDA meets Kyffin Simpson INDIANAPOLIS, Aug. 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Through its work with the Journie Driving Academy, Journie Rewards is changing the lives of three Canadian children and their families by helping them pursue a career as a race car driver. Decklan Deonarine, Jack Klym and Nathan Reddish are speeding through their karting schedules across Canada this season in their new Journie Rewards branded firesuits and liveries. With additional financial support from Journie Rewards, mentorship from 17-time NTT INDYCAR SERIES champions Chip Ganassi Racing (CGR) and the trip of a lifetime last month to Toronto, JDA drivers are racing through a season they will never forget. To learn more about the JDA, visit Notes of Interest: Learning From Champions: Personally tailored mentorship programs provided by CGR are key to the success of JDA drivers. Whether its fitness programs provided through CGR's Human Performance Center, a beginner session on business best practices, or one-on-one time with Kyffin Simpson, driver of the No. 8 Journie Rewards Honda, and Bryce Aron and Niels Koolen, CGR's INDY NXT by Firestone drivers, the JDA drivers have learned a lot in a short amount of time. Periodic check-ins and year-long development continue to be a priority for the team as all three drivers approach the home stretches of their racing seasons. A VIP Toronto Weekend: All three JDA drivers attended the INDYCAR SERIES Indy Toronto weekend in July, getting a VIP experience courtesy of Journie Rewards. The drivers met Simpson in-person for the first time and cheered him on as he scored his first career INDYCAR podium in the race. The drivers also had a surprise meeting with Canadian motorsports legends Ron Fellows, James Hinchcliffe and Robert Wickens, all while getting a behind-the-scenes look at CGR's INDYCAR operations. An exclusive dinner downtown, complete with private racing simulator time, capped an incredible weekend in Canada's largest city. The Journie to Victory Lane: The JDA drivers have exceled on the track so far this season. Combining for nine wins, 11 poles and 22 podium finishes, the three drivers will work toward more wins and compete for championships as their seasons continue. Quoteboard: Dustin Klym, father of Jack Klym: "As parents, we viewed motorsport as an opportunity to develop our sons' individual abilities and character. Our goal was to give him the tools to reach beyond our family business, set and achieve his own goals. Inspiration and momentum are very powerful things, and this program delivers. The people at Journie Rewards and Chip Ganassi Racing are passionate about this program, and passionate about giving back to the next generation. We have built friendships and professional relationships that will carry Jack far into his future in motorsports. Thank you, Journie Rewards and Chip Ganassi Racing!" Kurt Reddish, father of Nathan Reddish: 'Being a part of the Journie Driving Academy has been a huge help in covering many of the karting expenses this year, especially since it's Nathan's first year in club racing. Without this support, it would have been much harder to afford team support and get the necessary seat time he needs to improve. One of the most exciting parts has been meeting and talking with the Chip Ganassi Racing team. Getting their perspective and tips on karting has really helped me understand more about what it takes to reach the next level. I don't think we would have received this kind of advice so early in Nathan's journey, and it's already made a big difference in how we approach race weekends. Nathan really feels like he is part of a team. This entire experience has been a dream come true for Nathan.' Clive Deonarine, father of Decklan Deonarine: 'Being part of the Journie Driving Academy has truly been life-changing for both Decklan and our family. Racing at a high level is an incredible opportunity, but it comes with costs that can be overwhelming for most families. The Academy's backing has taken a tremendous weight off our shoulders, allowing us to focus on Decklan's growth and performance instead of constantly worrying about how to fund the next step in his career. That support has opened doors to experiences we simply couldn't have accessed otherwise. It's also given him confidence knowing that a respected program believes in his talent enough to invest in him. For me as a parent, it's been a relief and a joy to be able to focus on supporting him emotionally and strategically, rather than being stuck in an endless financial juggling act. The Journie Driving Academy hasn't just eased the financial burden, it's accelerated Decklan's journey toward his dreams, given him invaluable experiences, and made this path feel sustainable and achievable for our whole family.' About Chip Ganassi Racing Chip Ganassi has been a fixture in the auto racing industry for more than 35 years and is considered one of the most successful and innovative owners in motorsports. Today, his teams include three Honda cars in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and two entries in INDY NXT by Firestone. Chip Ganassi Racing (CGR) has won 24 championships and over 270 races, including six wins in the Indianapolis 500, eight Rolex 24 At Daytona victories, and wins in the 12 Hours of Sebring and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. CGR boasts state-of-the-art facilities in Indianapolis, where the INDYCAR and INDY NXT teams are located, and a corporate office in Pittsburgh. For more information, visit Press Contact Colin Kulpa ckulpa@ Photos accompanying this announcement are available at in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Forbes
an hour ago
- Forbes
Smaller Streaming Services Jump On Sports Rights To Drive Viewership
Despite skyrocketing prices for TV rights from name-brand sports leagues, even smaller streaming services know their future will be driven in part by that particularly sticky tune-in driver for audiences. For evidence, look no further than this week's news. First, Paramount Skydance followed up last week's deal-closing merger by announcing Monday that it had signed a whopping $7.7 billion, seven-year deal for all UFC North American rights. That helped send share prices soaring Tuesday and Wednesday by roughly 60%. Then on Tuesday, Comcast and the U.S. Golf Association announced a set of deals to carry the USGA's many championships on its various outlets, some of which are headed off to become a separate company. All this comes days after ESPN and Fox unveiled new sports-focused streaming apps that will debut in a week, at premium prices ($30/month for ESPN app, and $20/month for Fox One). Fox One will also feature entertainment, business and news content from across Fox's broadcast and cable operations, but live sports (NFL, Big 10 college football, Major League Baseball and Nascar) is almost certainly the big draw, given the app's pricing and sports' appeal to the biggest possible audiences. Under the USGA deal, Comcast broadcaster NBC and streaming service Peacock will continue to carry the U.S. Open, U.S. Women's Open and U.S. Senior Open. But Comcast also announced what will be a separate deal to carry 11 championships of the US Golf Association on the Golf Channel and USA Network, which are among the Comcast cable nets being spun off into a separate company called Versant. The deal kicks in beginning in 202y and will run 'through at least 2032,' USGA CEO Mike Whan said in a CNBC interview. Perhaps having such a deal is near-existential for the Golf Channel, given its niche focus. But golf also figures into broader audience-retention strategies as Comcast prepares for the Versant spinoff. Media companies have been investing heavily in live sports, particularly the NFL and college football, which remain the most-watched programming on traditional linear television. Comcast CEO and controlling shareholder Brian Roberts said he will maintain a 30-percent stake in Versant, while promising the company will be a well-funded player in the looming reconfiguration and consolidation of U.S. media companies as they shift from cable distribution to streaming. Whan said interest in golf has swelled in the five years since the pandemic lockdown, when the sport became a safe way many people could get outside, socialize and get some modest exercise and competition. 'Five years ago, I would tell you there are 30 million golfers and 6 million more who want to take it up in the next year,' Whan said. Now, those numbers are 47.2 million players, and another 24 million who want take it up soon. It's a valuable niche too, given the elevated household incomes of traditional golf audiences, with lots of corporate and finance advertises lined up to buy time. Comcast also cross-promotes upcoming golf coverage onto its business-news network CNBC, which is also heading off as part of Versant. That's cross-promotion is a no-brainer, given the huge overlap between business executives and golf players. Now it'll be more important than ever as Versant heads to an uncertain new independent existence. Comcast and Versant won't be completely sundered after the split, as the USGA deal demonstrates. Under the deal, Golf Channel's USGA championships will also appear on Peacock, which remains roughly half the size of Paramount Plus (and perhaps one-seventh of Netflix's subscriber base). Comcast has moved to expand its sports holdings, adding rights to weekly NBA games this season. 'Peacock is a big part of this,' Whan said. Peacock already has NBC's weekly Sunday night NFL game, which is the most-watched show on linear television, and Big 10 football and other college sports. Peacock also features the Olympics, English Premier League soccer, Tour de France cycling, and other pro sports. Comcast ponied up to keep its golf rights, despite a number of other bidders. Whan said the USGA was 'enthused and impressed by the breadth of interest' among rights bidders, reportedly including Netflix. Paramount Skydance shares jumped notably this week, opening Monday at around $10 a share, briefly topping $16 apiece before settling today to around $14. The UFC deal may have contributed to the big jump, though it's also likely due to a short squeeze that briefly turned the company into a meme stock this week like AMC Entertainment. Only 30% of the company's shares are available to the public (the rest controlled by new company chief David Ellison and his partners). Those shares included a notably large number of shorts, reportedly as many as 89 million of 300 million available, according to Barron's. Regardless, the UFC deal with TKO Holdings is a big one, bringing one of the premier combat-sports leagues to Paramount Skydance as Ellison tries to reinvigorate and build a company hobbled for years by boardroom intrigue and inadequate resources. Combat sports, featuring both men and women, have proven hugely popular with younger audiences, especially compared to the aging followings of sports such as baseball and even football. The $PSKY deal with UFC is notable for more than its girth. Company executives said they hope to extend the deal to international territories as they become available in the future, befitting Ellison's global ambitions for Paramount Plus and CBS. UFC matches also will no longer be pay-per-view, as they've been for many years, including with current rights holder ESPN. Instead, dozens of weekly fight nights and four big events a year will be freely available to all Paramount Plus subscribers. The big events will also be available on Paramount's CBS broadcast network. Both maneuvers should dramatically increase visibility and reach for UFC and for its fighters, though some have voiced concern that it will further erode leverage of the biggest-name fighters. Typically with PPV, ticket sales were driven by the biggest-name competitors, such as Irish star Conor McGregor, who was part of the four highest-selling cards in UFC history. Paramount Plus currently has around 77 million subscribers, a notably low churn rate, and a batch of third-party customer surveys that suggest it's one of the more well-liked omnibus subscription services in the market. Credit that to all those CBS and Taylor Sheridan shows, the Star Trek franchise, and NFL and college sports. But Ellison now has flexed his family's ample bank account (father Larry is ranked among the planet's very richest humans) to shore up viewership even further, first with a $1.5 billion deal announced last week with the creators of South Park, and now with UFC. There aren't many other packages of notable sports rights in the market right now. ESPN walked away from its $500-million-a-year deal with Major League Baseball after this season, though it and other media companies reportedly are interested in smaller possible packages. And Apple is reportedly in talks to double what Formula One is making from its North American rights to show the races on Apple TV+. Apple recently collaborated closely with the racing circuit on F1: The Movie, starring Brad Pitt. That film has generated $575.6 million in worldwide box-office gross, according to and spurred Apple's development of in-car camera technology that could be used to create compelling real-world race footage in the future.
