NEW YORK/TORONTO (Oct. 13, 2026) – Hockey Fights Cancer™ powered by the V Foundation for Cancer Research presented by AstraZeneca returns for another season, rallying the global hockey community around the fight against cancer. Building on its legacy as the leading cancer fundraising initiative among professional sports leagues, Hockey Fights Cancer will harness the power of storytelling, advocacy and fan engagement to drive support for lifesaving cancer research and inspire action through increased participation in recommended screenings.
Featuring all 32 NHL teams, tonight’s ‘NHL Frozen Frenzy’ on ESPN2, Disney+ and the ESPN App (in the U.S.) will drop the puck on this season’s Hockey Fights Cancer campaign, spotlighting stories from across the League for the third straight season and raising funds for the V Foundation in support of Hockey Fights Cancer. In celebration of Frozen Frenzy, Hockey Fights Cancer™ and the V Foundation are investing $100,000 in lifesaving cancer research tonight, encouraging fans to donate and help amplify the impact. The national spotlight will continue with Wednesday Night Hockey (Prime Video in Canada), NHL on TNT (in the U.S.) and Saturday Night Hockey on Sportsnet (in Canada) all hosting a Hockey Fights Cancer themed broadcast. All 32 Clubs are set to host in-game awareness nights throughout the season, with November continuing to be a league-wide celebration month for Hockey Fights Cancer.
As Hockey Fights Cancer marks its 28th season, the NHLPA, NHL and the V Foundation are proud to partner with a growing team of 16 HFC Champions. Through their leadership, advocacy and personal connection to the cause, these Champions help strengthen the initiative's impact by raising awareness, fostering community engagement and encouraging fans to support the ongoing fight against cancer.
This season, the NHL, NHLPA and the V Foundation for Cancer Research are teaming up with Colorado Avalanche defenseman Josh Manson and Utah Mammoth forward Clayton Keller for The Winter Face-Off: The Ultimate Fan Sweepstakes, a fundraising campaign inspired by the impact cancer has had on their families, including Manson’s late mother, Lana Manson, and Keller’s late grandfather, Bill Simpson. Throughout the first two months of the season and leading up to the 2027 Discover NHL Winter Classic, the two Hockey Fights Cancer Champions will unite their respective fan bases to raise funds for life-saving cancer research through the V Foundation. Fans can enter for a chance to win a one-of-a-kind NHL Winter Classic experience at alltroo.com/HFC.
Since the V Foundation was named the official North American fundraising partner in 2023, Hockey Fights Cancer has dramatically expanded its reach and impact through the collective efforts of NHL clubs, players, coaches, corporate partners and fans. Forty-two research grants across a wide range of cancer types have been awarded in 22 NHL markets over the past three seasons with plans to fund even more cutting-edge research during the 2026-27 season. Of the total $9.1 million raised during the 2025-26 season, Hockey Fights Cancer will direct over $4.6 million to game-changing research at the top cancer research institutions across the U.S. and Canada through the V Foundation.
This season, Hockey Fights Cancer, will expand the ‘It's Personal’ campaign by featuring real hockey fans whose lives have been impacted by cancer and survivors in marketing and social initiatives throughout the season. Through personal survivor stories featured across season-long marketing and fundraising efforts, the campaign launched todayreinforces that cancer touches every corner of the hockey community. Inspired by the belief that every win starts with hope and the lifesaving research that makes it possible, It's Personal encourages fans to honor their own connection to the cause and support the fight against cancer through Hockey Fights Cancer.
The NHLPA and NHL are proud to continue partnering with AstraZeneca. The first-ever presenting sponsor of Hockey Fights Cancer in the U.S., AstraZeneca has a bold ambition to one day eliminate cancer as a cause of death by following the science to understand cancer’s complexities and deliver life-changing medicines to patients. Get Body Checked Against Cancer, its public health campaign, empowers hockey fans to talk to their doctor about routine cancer screenings. Since November 2023, AstraZeneca has donated $1.2 million (USD) to the V Foundation in support of Hockey Fights Cancer.
Hyundai returns as an official sponsor of Hockey Fights Cancer in Canada. Through Hockey Fights Cancer and Hyundai's Greatest Save program, every save made during the NHL regular season helps fund paediatric cancer research and care, transforming the excitement of the game into hope for children and families across Canada. Following the support of more than $1 million to paediatric cancer research during the 2025-26 NHL season, Hyundai will continue the initiative in 2026-27, donating $10 for every save made. The program is projected to contribute more than $700,000 through Hockey Fights Cancer, while an additional $300,000 investment from Hockey Fights Cancer and the V Foundation will help bring the total impact of Hyundai’s Greatest Save to $1 million once again.
Nicorette® is the Official Quit Smoking Partner of the NHL and is committed to helping smokers manage tough cravings throughout the smoking cessation process and on their quit journey. In line with this mission, Nicorette® is making a $100,000 contribution in light of its sponsorship during the 2026-27 NHL season to support Hockey Fights Cancer and the V Foundation. In November, Nicorette® will be releasing a special podcast episode featuring NHL alumni Steve Larmer sharing his quit journey.
Throughout November, Hockey Fights Cancer will be featured in NHL® 27 and integrated into the game’s Hockey Ultimate Team and World of Chel game modes. EA SPORTS also will donate $10,000 to Hockey Fights Cancer powered by the V Foundation.
Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin, the leading goal scorer in NHL history, who recently announced the 2026-27 season will be his last, continues THE GR8 CHASE for Victory Over Cancer® this season. Ovechkin has teamed up with the Washington Capitals, Hockey Fights Cancer and the V Foundation to raise funds for pediatric cancer research for each regular season goal he scores for the remainder of his NHL career, with Monumental Sports & Entertainment matching his contributions. To date, the campaign has raised more than $275,000 and will help establish the Alex Ovechkin GR8 CHASE Pediatric Cancer Research Grant through the V Foundation and Hockey Fights Cancer.
For the eighth straight season, the Stanley Cup® Hope Lodge Tour, in partnership with the American Cancer Society (ACS) and Canadian Cancer Society (CCS), returns, bringing the most iconic trophy in sports to surprise residents at Hope Lodge communities across the U.S. and Lodge communities in Canada. The “HFC Assist” program also is back, empowering hockey teams of all ages to host their own Hockey Fights Cancer nights and raise funds for ACS and CCS patient support programs, which include transportation to and from appointments, accommodations during treatment, and round the clock access to cancer specialists to further support people living with cancer. Participating teams receive resources including best practices, fundraising ideas, and complimentary lavender tape and HFC decals.
Fans can purchase official Hockey Fights Cancer merchandise online at NHLShop.com and NHLShop.ca as well as Hockey Fights Cancer “Skate Skins” to show their support and donate to the NHL and NHLPA’s Hockey Fights Cancer initiative powered by the V Foundation presented by AstraZeneca by visiting the Hockey Fights Cancer webpage.
For all Hockey Fights Cancer news follow @NHL, @NHLPA, @NHLUnites and @NHLPR join the conversation by using the official hashtag #HockeyFightsCancer.
