2026 Opening Weekend at the Ballpark!
2026-06-01
Fireworks, Some Rain & First Win of the Season
The Riverhawks kicked off the 2026 season in style this weekend!
Friday!
Friday night was our Home Opener Party and Indigenous Celebration game presented by Global Edmonton. We welcomed the party back to the river valley with nearly 7,000 fans in attendance!
The pre-game festivities featured a traditional Indian Relay Racing demonstration across the outfield, drumming and dancing from Black Thunder of Kehewin Cree Nation, and a traditional smudging of the first pitch ball. Chief Vernon Watchmaker then stepped to the mound and fired a strike down the middle to officially open the 2026 Riverhawks season!
We were also excited to welcome Conrad Plews, the designer of the Riverhawks' new Indigenous logo, onto the field. Conrad received a huge round of applause from the crowd as he was presented with his own Indigenous Celebration jersey.
The rest of the jerseys worn by the team were auctioned off online in support of Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society, and Riverhawks fans came through in a big way. Together, fans helped raise more than $7,000 to support the amazing work Bent Arrow does in our community!
Of course, Opening Night wouldn't be complete without a little weather drama. A one-hour rain delay had everyone hanging out a little longer than planned, but Riverhawks fans didn’t go anywhere! They kept the party going in the stands and were there to cheer the new Hawks squad back onto the field.
Once the game began, the Riverhawks battled hard but ultimately fell 6-2 to a strong Wenatchee AppleSox squad.
The night wrapped up with the first Fireworks Friday show of the season, sending fans home with a bang and officially kicking off another summer at RE/MAX Field.
Saturday!
On Saturday, nearly 5,000 fans joined us for WE LOVE THE RIVER VALLEY (go touch grass night) as the Riverhawks transformed into the River Valley Tree Huggers, as we took to the field in our 2026 edition of our Edmonton inspired alternate identity.
Partnering with Root For Trees Edmonton, the Riverhawks (*River Valley Tree Huggers!*) joined a morning tree planting session at Lousie Mckinney park, celebrating the beautiful River Valley and all of the work that Root Fore Trees does to help our River Valley grow.
Turns out, planting trees might be good luck too… because that night, the Riverhawks picked up their first win of the season in a wild 10-7 victory over the AppleSox.
Sunday!
The rain returned Sunday morning, forcing a cancellation of our beloved Paws in the Park game.
Most of those festivities will now move to our next Sunday game on June 14, including the fan-favourite low-rider dash (basset hounds vs. corgis vs. dachshunds) and our Riverhawks dog bandana giveaway for the first 100 dogs through the gates.
Upcoming!
We’re back at RE/MAX Field for SIX straight games starting Tuesday, June 9, and it’s a full week of theme nights you won’t want to miss!
Take a look at what’s coming up and grab your seats now at tickets.gohawks.ca
Tuesday, June 9: Strikeout Cancer presented by Delta Valley Landscaping, in support of the Kids With Cancer SocietyWednesday, June 10: School Spirit & Mascot Mania presented by QualicoThursday, June 11: Theatre Kids Take Over with the Citadel Theatre & Edmonton Fringe TheatreFriday, June 12: Baseball Goes Bollywood presented by MyRadio 580 & Turn RadioSaturday, June 13: We’re Going to the Cottage Pride Night presented by Smith Thompson LawSunday, June 14: Santa’s Toy Takeover presented by 880 CHED in support of Santa’s Anonymous