Sat 13 Sep 2025 - 06:00AM
OPENING-NIGHT PREVIEW: PANTHERS HOST CARDIFF
Tonight's game will now face-off at 19:30 after Cardiff's bus broke down on the way to Nottingham. More info here.
🎟 SAT 13TH SEPT (19:00): PANTHERS v CARDIFF DEVILS - BUY TICKETS HERE 🎟
It's the opening night of the season as Nottingham Panthers host Cardiff Devils at the Motorpoint Arena.
The game is sponsored by Switch Up and there's two huge Challenge Cup points on the line as the two big old rivals go head-to-head in Nottingham.
There's over 5,000 people already expected so you're urged to secure your seats asap. You will be able to pay at the Box Office in-person ahead of face-off or click here to buy your tickets now.
Tonight sees the return of one of last season's playoff-winning roster with Kristoff Kontos coming back to the Motorpoint Arena but this time in a Devils uniform.
There's also four other former Panthers in the Cardiff line-up in Evan Mosey, Brett Perlini and Mark Richardson, as well netminder Ben Bowns who won the Elite Series in 2021.
The Devils are coached by Paul Thompson who built-up a spicy rivalry with Panthers when Head Coach of Coventry Blaze and Sheffield Steelers.
Thompson returns to the UK after six-and-a-half years coaching in Europe, which saw him win the Danish playoffs with Odense Bulldogs last season.
View from the Bench
Panthers Head Coach, Danny Stewart, said: "Cardiff will defend really well and knowing Tommo (Paul Thompson) they will be well coached.
"They will defend harder (this season) and definitely be a lot more physical. They are deep at the back and have good goaltending.
"They have a good balance across their scoring lines, a combination of scoring and physicality. I expect a very, very difficult game but I know our boys are up for it."
First-Game Desk
The First-Game Desk is a brand new addition to our matchnights in association with Lake Energy and the Nottingham Hospitals Charity.
If it’s your very first Panthers game, stop by the First-Game Desk to pick-up all the essentials you need. Based opposite the lifts in the Motorpoint Arena foyer, there's everything from matchnight info to key rules - plus a special poster you can wave proudly.
You never know, you might even make it onto the jumbotron! You’ll also receive a First-Game Certificate to celebrate joining our incredible #PanthersNation.
Saltbox not open tonight - Pre-Game Show starts 27th September
Please note that Saltbox will not be accessible tonight and next Saturday (20th September) because of live events.
But we are thrilled to confirm the Pre-Game Show will return for selected games this season, starting with Saturday 27th September against Guildford Flames.
Lookout for more details about the special guest in the days leading up to 27th September.
A huge £2,000 in the Panthers Vault
The Panthers Vault - in association with Interseal Fire Protection - now stands at £2.000! Tickets cost just £1 and if yours is drawn out of the hat, you go on the ice with DJ Ken Feast to try to win the money inside the vault in the second intermission. Choose one of the players from the Panthers roster shown on the jumbotron to reveal a four-digit code and see if it unlocks the vault. Dare you give up the chance to go for the money to open the Mystery Box? What's inside? Nobody knows!
Chuck-a-Puck
Chuck-a-Puck - sponsored by Motorpoint - is great fun for all the family. It takes place in the second intermission and the winner is the person who lands their puck closest to Paws at centre-ice. The winner gets a photo with their favourite player at the end of the game and a signed puck. There's a bonus prize too! A remote control car drives around the centre-circle. If your puck lands inside the cockpit of the car, you have a chance to win the bonus prize of two tickets to an event at the Motorpoint Arena. Pucks cost £1 each and are on sale from sellers around the rink.
Shirt Off His Back: David Noël
David Noël's gold Challenge Cup game-worn jersey is up for grabs in our Shirt Off His Back.
The winner gets to go rinkside and onto the ice post-game and have their photo with David.
Tickets are just £1 each and available from sellers around the Motorpoint Arena.
50/50 is your chance to win a big cash prize
Tickets for the 50/50 raffle are sold for £1 each. The lucky winner will go home with a fantastic prize.
Make sure you buy your tickets to be in with a chance of winning. Lookout for the sellers around the rink.
GVL Jersey Giveaway
Want to take home a Nottingham Panthers replica jersey?
Sam Hurst will be in the stands in the first-period powerbreak, so make sure you make plenty of noise to have a chance of winning.
Dance Cam in association with Doughnotts
Here's your chance win free doughnuts by displaying your best funky dance moves in the jumbotron.
Look out for the Dance Cam - in association with Nottingham-based Doughnotts - in the third-period powerbreak and show us your great moves!
Watch the live stream tonight
If you're not with us at the Motorpoint Arena this evening, we've got you covered with the game being shown live on Panthers TV.
Jono Bullard and former Panthers netminder Dan Green will bring you all the action. Click here to buy the webcast.