Fans cheer on the Halifax Thunderbirds at Scotiabank Centre

Dedicated Halifax Thunderbirds fans watched Game 1 of the National Lacrosse League final on the jumbotron at Scotiabank Centre on Friday, May 16, 2026. (Jim Kvammen/CTV Atlantic)

The Halifax Thunderbirds may have been on the road Friday, but fans gathered at Scotiabank Centre in Halifax to cheer them on.

The arena held a watch party for Game 1 of the National Lacrosse League (NLL) final. The Thunderbirds are up against the Toronto Rock in the best-of-three series.

A few hundred enthusiastic fans gathered in the lower bowl to watch the game on the jumbotron.

While the Thunderbirds lost Friday’s game 13-11 in Hamilton, Ont., fans will be ready to support them at home Sunday as they look to even the series.

It’s the first time in 11 years that two Canadian teams have met for the NLL championship.

Game 2 is Sunday at 7 p.m. at Scotiabank Centre.

With files from The Canadian Press

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