The Rockford IceHogs 2025-26 season will start with an Opening Night Block Party presented by Hard Rock Casino-Rockford on Saturday, Oct. 11 from 4-6:30 p.m. outside the BMO Center. The block party has become an annual fan-favorite tradition and this year will feature live music by Chicago guitarist, vocalist, songwriter and multiple Blues Music Award-winner Ronnie Baker Brooks, plus local food trucks, a free craft beer tasting, kids’ activities, a T-shirt giveaway, and a red-carpet walk by IceHogs players prior to the team's home opener against the Milwaukee Admirals inside the BMO at 7 p.m.

Location: The block party will take place outside the BMO Center at the corner of Main St. and Elm St. with the music stage located in Lot 7.

Giveaway: The IceHogs are teaming up with Hard Rock Casino-Rockford to present free T-shirts to the first 3,000 fans on Opening Night at the block party.

Red Carpet: IceHogs players are expected to walk the red carpet through the block party and into the arena at approximately 4:30 p.m.

Radio: Double T will broadcast live from the block party on 96.7 The Eagle.

Food Trucks:

• Blaz'in Magic BBQ
• Cheezy's Grilled Cheeses
• Inzombia Coffee
• Olivo Taco
• Sassy Mac Boys

Craft Beer Tasting: Fans 21 and older can sample some craft beers at various tables courtesy of Lamonica Beverages. The beer tasting is free but interested fans must present their ID at the check-in table to receive a wrist band.

Activities: The Rockford Park District inflatable street hockey rink will be set up on Elm Street for the kids!

Tickets: Single-game tickets for Opening Night and all other IceHogs home games will go on sale to the general public on Friday, Sept. 12 at 10 a.m. IceHogs Insiders will have access to presale tickets starting Wednesday, Sept. 10 at 10 a.m. Season ticket members can already purchase additional single game tickets at any time through Account Manager.

The IceHogs released the full promotional calendar for the season last week.

About Ronnie Baker Brooks

Chicago guitarist, vocalist, songwriter and multiple Blues Music Award-winner Ronnie Baker Brooks is one of the city’s—and the world’s—most undeniably talented and electrifying bluesmen. Ronnie was born into Chicago blues royalty as the son of legendary multiple GRAMMY Award nominee, Hall Of Famer, and longtime Alligator Records recording star Lonnie Brooks. He is among the few contemporary blues artists who learned his craft directly from many of the genre’s icons, including Albert Collins, B.B. King, Willie Dixon, Koko Taylor and, most significantly, his father. “I’m blessed to have played with and learned from the best. I’m carrying them within me,” he says of all the legends he knew growing up and the journey he’s been on.

With his new Blues Music Award-winning Alligator Records debut, Blues In My DNA, Ronnie delivers an up-to-the-minute, organic masterpiece. For his efforts on Blues In My DNA, Ronnie took home three 2025 Blues Music Awards, presented by the Blues Foundation: Contemporary Blues Artist Of The Year (Male); Contemporary Blues Album Of The Year; and Song Of The Year for the title track. AllMusic said, “Blues in My DNA is in a class of its own -- resonant, sophisticated, and soulful.” Chicago’s WGN-TV declared, “Ronnie Baker Brooks is one of the most electrifying blues guitarists in the world.”