Info & Register

The Buffaloes will be entering a team in the 2025 NCBS Championship Series, held on the campus of RIT in Rochester, NY. The tournament will run from August 6 - 9, with games being played at Gene Polisseni Center. 

Tournament Schedule

Below is the tournament schedule for the Buffaloes. Games on August 8th and August 9th are TBD depending on standings.

• Wednesday, August 6th
  • 11am - 12:30pm - Practice
  • 4:00 p.m. - vs. Dragons
• Thursday, August 7th
  • 10:00 a.m. - vs. DMV
  • 5:30 p.m. - vs. Connecticut
• Friday, August 8th
  • 10:00 a.m. - 7th place game
  • 12:00 p.m. - 5th place game
  • 3:00 p.m. - Semifinal 1
  • 5:00 p.m. - Semifinal 2
• Saturday, August 9th
  • 9:30 a.m. - Bronze Medal Game
  • 11:30 a.m. - Gold Medal Game

Game Format

All NCBS games will follow the NLL rulebook. The over and back rule will be 10 seconds to get the ball across the midline rather than eight. Games will be four, 12-minute stop-time quarters with a two minute break between quarters 1 and 2, a 10-minute break at halftime, and a two minute break between quarters 3 and 4. Fighting will be an automatic ejection from the tournament.

Tickets/Entry 

USBOXLA is working with RIT on tickets for the event. A daily pass will be available for $12/day and a full session weekly pass will be available for $35. More details on how to purchase will be posted when we have the details.

Eligibility

• Graduated high school seniors through just graduated collegiate players, including 5th year eligibility.
• If you did not play in college during the 2025 season, you must be a 2002 or earlier birth year OR have not turned 24 before the start of the Championship Series.
• Due to NCAA compliance rules, no more than 5 players from any one college can be on the same team.
• Each team is permitted a maximum of two Canadian born runners on a roster and one Canadian born goalie on a roster.
• The maximum roster size is 18 total runners and goalies. The maximum number of players that can dress for any game is 16 runners and two goalies. The minimum number of players that can dress for any game is 14 runners and 1 goalie. 

Cost

The cost to play for the Buffaloes is $250 per player

Included with cost

• Game jersey - to be returned at the end of the tournament
• Game shorts - players can keep
• Warm-up shirt - players can keep
• USBOXLA Insurance
• Coaching by current Buffalo Bandits players
  • Ian MacKay - three-time NLL Champion, 2025 NLL Finals MVP, Six Nations Chiefs. 
  • Zack Belter - two-time NLL Champion, Tonawanda Braves
• Possible scrimmage with the Hawkeyes, practice time. 

Not included with cost

• White helmet - mandatory per NCBS Championship Rules
• Stick, gloves, sneakers, shoulder pads, bicep pads, arm guards, kidney pads, mouth guard, any other equipment required to play the game
• Lodging and meals during the tournament

Any questions should be directed to dan.ristine@bandits.com or Zack Belter