A look at 20 giveaways, 13 ticket deals, 8 food specials the Peoria Rivermen plan for 2026-27

PEORIA — The Peoria Rivermen have put the finishing touches on a lineup they think will be a big winner in the 2026-27 SPHL season.

>This lineup, though, is not about the defending league regular-season champions' roster.

>It's not about wins or losses on the ice, but rather, it's all about giveaway items, ticket discounts, themed nights, specialty jerseys and more as the 45-year Peoria franchise builds connection with its fans.

>"We have great sponsors, so many in the community who are partners and help us create another memorable season for our fans," Rivermen co-owner and Hall of Fame inductee Bart Rogers said. "We have 21 special jerseys we're going to play games in. We have 21 great giveaway nights. Our Education Day game is back. Our $6 ticket night is back, thanks to support from Komatsu.

>"It's a big list, and it has something for everyone."

>

>Among the giveaways are 20-ounce travel mugs, Rivermen goaltender masks, coffee, caps, ice scrapers, mini hockey sticks, guitar pick key chains, team playing cards, Rivermen youth jerseys, Rivermen youth T-Shirts and even Rivermen barbeque aprons.

>The menu is broken down into sections: Tickets, food, giveaways.

>Sunday games also include the team's Sunday Family Fun Day deal. Kids 12-under get an upper bowl ticket for $8.50. There is a pre-game kids festival with inflatables, face-painting, balloon artists and mascots. Hot dogs are $3 (courtesy Raber). Fans are invited to skate with the team or collect autographs after the game.

>See it all here, and keep up with the Rivermen team site online.

>To see the 21 specialty jerseys the team will wear -- and auction after each game -- check out our story here.

Games with special ticket dealsOct. 23: Bruce Saurs Opening Night. All upper bowl tickets $10 in honor of late former owner. • >Nov. 6: All military members (active or retired) with I.D. get free ticket with purchase of a ticket. • >Nov. 15: Sunday Family Fun Day. • >Nov. 22: Sunday Family Fun Day. • >Nov. 27: Black Friday Deal. Select lower bowl tickets $15 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m., call team (309) 676-1040. • >Dec. 13: Family Fun Day • >Dec. 17: Rivermen Education Day, 10:30 a.m. game. All tickets $6 for schools and educators (Eureka College) • >Jan. 17: Family Fun Day • >Jan. 24: Family Fun Day • >Feb. 28: Family Fun Day • >March 7: Family Fun Day • >March 26: Cram Carver Arena Night. All upper bowl seats and select lower bowl just $6 on White Out Night (Komatsu) • >April 2: Call JULIE Night (811). All upper bowl tickets $8.11

Hungry? Games with special food dealsOct. 23: Pop and popcorn combo for $2.99 • >Nov. 15: $3 hot dogs (Raber) • >Nov. 22: $3 hot dogs (Raber) • >Nov. 27: Hot dog and soda combo for $3.99 • >Nov. 28: 12-ounce Busch Light cans for $2 • >Feb. 13: Date Night Deal, 2 hot dogs, popcorn, soda for $8.50 • >March 26: Nachos and soda combo $6 • >April 2: Brat and Brew. Brat and canned 12-ounce select beer or 12-ounce soda, $5

The 2026-27 giveaway items listOct. 23: Magnetic schedules (first 1,000 in attendance) (O'Brien Team/Jim Maloof Realty) • >Oct. 30: Rivermen 20-ounce travel mug (1,000) (Carle Health). • >Oct. 31: Halloween costume contest. Rivermen goaltender masks (500 to kids 12-under) (CSL Plasma) • >Nov. 6: CXT Roasting Coffee giveaway (1,000 adults, 21-over) (CXT Roasting) • >Nov. 14: Rivermen cap night (1,000) (IBEW #34) • >Nov. 27: Rivermen ice scraper (1,000) (Stephen's Auto Glass) • >Dec. 11: Rivermen mini-stick (1,000, 16-under) (Preckshot Compounding Pharmacy) • >Dec. 12: LED Glow Sticks (2,000) (Ogborn Plumbing) • >Dec. 19: Rivermen stocking caps (1,000) Midwest Equipment) • >Jan. 15: Rivermen calendar (2,000) • >Jan. 22: Rivermen guitar pick keychain (2,000) (Sun Collectors) • >Jan. 23: Rivermen car flag (1,000 adults 16-older) (Carle Health) • >Feb. 13: Playing card decks (1,000 adults) (Enspire Clinical) • >Feb. 20: Rivermen youth T-shirt (500 kids 12-under) (KDI Print/Embroidery) • >Feb. 27: Rivermen mouse pad (1,000) (Auto Owners Insurance) • >March 5: Rivermen house flag (1,000) (Underdog Sports) • >March 6 Rivermen youth jersey (1,000 kids 16-under) (Homefield Energy) • >March 26: Hockey stick bam-bam night (1,000) (Carle Health) • >April 2: Rivermen barbecue apron (1,000 adults) (Call JULIE). Team photo night (1,000) (CEFCU)More: Coffee to tattoos: An inside look at the Peoria Rivermen 2026-27 special theme jerseys

>Dave Eminian is the Journal Star sports editor, and has covered the Peoria Rivermen for 42 years, covered Bradley men's basketball, Peoria Chiefs baseball and served as sports columnist. Reach him via email at deminian@pjstar.com and follow him on X @icetimecleve.

>This article originally appeared on Journal Star: A look at 20 giveaways, 13 ticket deals, 8 food specials the Peoria Rivermen plan for 2026-27