Big news for the CSRA as successful sports leaders team up to bring back hockey to the area for the first time in seven years.
Heisman Trophy winner, two-time National Champion, SEC Nation on-air personality, former NFL quarterback, and founder of the Tim Tebow Foundation, Tim Tebow, along with business leader David Hodges, announced that the ECHL Board of Governors has approved the expansion application for Augusta, Georgia, for admittance into the league. The team, set to begin play in the new Augusta Arena for the 2027–28 season, will be owned by Tebow and Hodges through their partnership in TH15 LLC.
“This is a proud day for Augusta,” said Mayor Garnett L. Johnson, City of Augusta. “Bringing professional hockey back to our city is all about energizing our community, attracting visitors, and creating opportunities for our local economy to grow. The new Augusta Arena and our new ECHL team are set to become an incredible source of pride and excitement for residents across the region.”
“The Coliseum Authority has carefully studied the economic and community impact of bringing hockey back to the CSRA, and the findings are clear: adding ice to the new Augusta Arena and recruiting a professional hockey team would be a huge win for citizens, local businesses, and visitors,” said Cedric Johnson, Chairman of the Augusta-Richmond County Coliseum Authority. “Through hockey, we are not just bringing back a sport, we are building Augusta’s future.”
The announcement marks the return of ECHL hockey to Augusta for the first time since the
2008–2009 season. With professional hockey returning, this new franchise will become the third ECHL team to represent the state of Georgia, joining the Atlanta Gladiators and Savannah Ghost Pirates.
Augusta’s team will play in the new Augusta Arena, complete with a capacity of 10,500+ seats. It will also include 14 luxury suites, 25 loge boxes, 8 open suites, party suites, and center ice club seating. Scheduled to open in the spring of 2027. The arena will be managed by Oak View Group (OVG), the global leader in live experience venue development, management, premium hospitality services for arenas, stadiums, performing art centers, live music festivals, and more.
“The new Augusta Arena will be a spectacular state-of-the-art venue perfect for ice hockey and top-notch live entertainment,” said Peter Luukko, Co-Chair, Oak View Group. “The new hockey team will unite residents from across the region and create tremendous pride across this part of the state. The team, as well as the new arena, will bring more people into Augusta to experience the incredible restaurants and other dining and entertainment options.”
Tebow is a former Florida Gator standout (where he won two BCS national championships, the Heisman Trophy, and multiple other awards) and was an NFL player. He is best known for his work with the Tim Tebow Foundation, whose mission is to bring Faith, Hope, and Love to those needing a brighter day in their darkest hour of need. The Foundation assists people in over 100 countries. He is also a New York Times best-selling author, ESPN broadcaster, and business investor.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to bring hockey back to Augusta with our partnership group,” said Tebow. “We are excited to see this team bring people together from all over the country to enjoy camaraderie, competition, and community impact. Our desire is to make a positive impact both on and off the ice. We can’t wait for the puck drop in October of 2027!”
Hodges echoed the excitement, adding, “Tim and I are excited to be able to bring ECHL hockey back to Augusta. On behalf of our partnership group, we look forward to stewarding this community asset. We both believe in the power of sports to bring communities together and are committed to positively impacting this community and delivering family-friendly environments that make lasting memories.”
The team’s day-to-day operations will be overseen by Zawyer Sports & Entertainment, a professional sports management group based in Jacksonville, Florida, that operates multiple hockey franchises, including the ECHL’s Jacksonville Icemen, Savannah Ghost Pirates, Greensboro Gargoyles, and the AHL’s Charlotte Checkers.
“Augusta is a passionate, sports-loving community that truly deserves to have professional hockey back in the city, said Zawyer Sports CEO Andy Kaufmann. “We are committed to building a strong franchise that will thrive here for years to come. And we are confident the new Augusta Arena will be a premier home for our team, giving fans and players alike a world-class environment to call their own.”
To celebrate the occasion, the team is accepting season ticket deposits and has launched a ‘Name the Team’ contest on AugustaProHockey.com, inviting fans to submit their ideas for the franchise name.
