When the Islanders went to work on putting together their promotional schedule for the 2025-26 season, all of the brainstorming and all of the planning centered around one thing and that was what the fans wanted.
And with that in mind, the Islanders listening to their fan base and the centerpiece of what the team came up with for this coming season is the return of something that had been missing for years.
The Islanders are bringing back current player bobbleheads with Mathew Barzal Bobblehead Night, presented by UBS, is set for November 26th against Boston and Bo Horvat Bobblehead Night, presented by Hyundai, is scheduled for January 31st vs Nashville.
On those nights, the bobbleheads will be given out to the first 10,000 fans in attendance.
“The fan reaction has been great and for us it’s really about putting the fan first in everything we do,” said Simone Perrin, the Islanders’ Senior Vice-President of Marketing and Fan Engagement.” “Being able to bring back two of the player bobbleheads with Barzal and Horvat was something that we were really excited about.”
When the Islanders celebrated their 50th anniversary season in 2023-24, they had a series of bobblehead giveaways honoring the seven players in franchise history who have had their number retired with those being Denis Potvin, Clark Gillies, Bryan Trottier, Mike Bossy, Bobby Nystrom, John Tonelli, Billy Smith and Butch Goring.
Since the end of last season, there’s been a breath of fresh air around the franchise including new General Manager Mathieu Darche and the selection of Matthew Schaefer with the first overall pick in the NHL Draft. The Islanders also opened up development camp practices to fans and they will do so again for season ticket holders during training camp and for morning skates during the season.
The franchise has been all ears when it comes to Islanders Country and that includes the return of current player bobbleheads for the first time in a long time.
“We had heard the fans,” said Perrin. “We’ve done a lot of research over the last few years in terms of what fans were asking for from surveys, calls and conversations with our ownership. (Co-Owner) Jon Ledecky talked to a lot of fans at games and the overwhelming feedback we heard was that fans really missed bobbleheads of current players. It was really about listening to what the fans wanted, addressing it and bringing it back for them.”
The bobbleheads are just a part of the Islanders’ 2025-26 promotional schedule. Other special days and nights include…
-On Opening Night October 11th against the Capitals, all fans in attendance will receive a special Islanders scarf presented by UBS.
-October 13th is “Kids Day Out-Superheroes Day” when the Islanders host Winnipeg.
-Military Appreciation Night, presented by Ford, is set for November 7th vs Minnesota.
-Hockey Fights Cancer Night, presented by Northwell, will be November 22nd against St. Louis.
-On November 28th vs Philadelphia, all fans will receive an Islanders yearbook.
-On December 23rd vs New Jersey, the Islanders will have “Home for the Holidays Night” with the first 10,000 fans getting an ugly sweater themed replica jersey.
-First Responders Night, presented by Northwell, will be January 6th vs New Jersey.
-The Islanders will have “Kids Day Out-Islanders Children’s Foundation Day” on January 24th against Buffalo.
-Star Wars Night will be March 1st vs Florida.
-Women in Sports Night will be March 24th vs Chicago.
-Pride Night will be March 26th vs Dallas.
-Fan Appreciation Night will be April 14th vs Carolina.
“We’re thrilled to be able to release this new promotional schedule,” said Perrin. “When we went to the drawing board and wanted to think through how to deliver the promotional schedule to the fans this season, we really went with the mindset of putting the fan first in everything we do.”
And while the Islanders have released a comprehensive promotional list, it sounds like there is one more special night that has yet to be announced.
“It is a night that fans are going to be excited about,” said Perrin. “There will be a giveaway with it but we think overall, it’s going to be a night that fans will be really excited to be there for.”
Stay tuned Islanders Country!
The Islanders 2025-26 promotional schedule is filled with a lot of exciting days and nights including the bobblehead giveaways. It’s clear that there is a new feeling around the franchise and the promotional schedule is a big example of that.