NLL Confirms Ottawa Black Bears Are Done
Ottawa's pro box lacrosse team, the Black Bears, will not take the floor for the 2026-27 season. The National Lacrosse League announced that the Ottawa franchise and the Philadelphia Wings have both discontinued operations, ending Ottawa's short run as an NLL city.
NLL Commissioner Brett Frood made the announcement. "Today is a difficult day for the National Lacrosse League and, most importantly, for the fans, players, employees and partners who have supported the Ottawa Black Bears and Philadelphia Wings," Frood said.
The league said its "responsibility is to provide certainty for our constituents and move forward with 12 active member clubs aligned behind the League's collective future," confirming it will operate with 12 teams for the coming season now that Ottawa and Philadelphia are gone.
Why the League Pulled the Plug
According to the NLL, the decision followed a review of long-term sustainability in each market, weighing "committed ownership, venue and lease conditions, local market infrastructure, operational capabilities and sustained investment in the fan experience." Ottawa and Philadelphia did not clear that bar.
The Black Bears had only been in the capital for two seasons, having been approved to begin play in the 2024-2025 season when the move to Ottawa was announced in February 2024.
What Happens to the Roster
The NLL has set a timeline for sorting out the players left without a team. A dispersal draft for the discontinued Ottawa and Philadelphia rosters is scheduled for September 15, 2026 at 4 p.m. ET. Selection order in that draft is based on reverse regular-season winning percentages from the last two completed seasons, weighted 70 percent toward the more recent season, with reigning NLL champion Toronto Rock picking last.
The rest of the league's calendar keeps moving too. Franchise player designations are due September 18 at 4 p.m. ET, with free agency opening an hour later that same day. The NLL Entry Draft follows on September 24 at 6 p.m. ET.
What It Means for Ottawa Sports Fans
The league did leave the door open for a comeback, saying Ottawa and Philadelphia "remain important markets to the NLL" and could see a franchise return if sustainable conditions are established down the road.
For now, there's no word on which players from the Black Bears roster will land where, or whether any of them will end up back in Ottawa if the league revisits the market in future seasons. Fans looking for the next update should watch for names moving in next week's dispersal draft.
Sources: National Lacrosse League (official), CTV News Ottawa
