Toronto Rock win 7th NLL title, tie Bandits' mark
The Toronto Rock won the 2026 National Lacrosse League championship, capturing the franchise’s seventh NLL title and its first since May 15, 2011. The victory tied Toronto with the Buffalo Bandits for the most NLL championships and brought the 2026 season to a close.
Toronto defeated the Halifax Thunderbirds in two straight games to secure the NLL Cup. Game 1, at TD Coliseum in Hamilton, ended 13-11 after the Rock rallied from a 9-5 deficit, scoring eight of the final 10 goals and holding Halifax scoreless for roughly 24 minutes. Jason Knox recorded a hat trick in Game 1.
Toronto closed the series with a 12-7 victory in Game 2 at Scotiabank Centre in Halifax. Rookie Sam English was named Finals MVP after contributing three goals, four assists, 19 loose balls and two caused turnovers while recording no penalties, becoming the first rookie to win the award since John Tavares in 1992. Veteran goalie Nick Rose made 72 saves across the two games and finished Game 2 by keeping Halifax scoreless for the final 28 minutes and 32 seconds.
Long-time teammates Rose, Billy Hostrawser, Brad Kri, Latrell Harris, Dan Craig, Josh Jubenville and captain Challen Rogers, along with coach Matt Sawyer, celebrated their first championship together. A photo-driven gallery of key moments and the celebration documented Toronto’s milestone achievement.
