With the 2016-17 season drawing ever closer, the Checkers announced today the slate of promo nights for the upcoming campaign.

There is an abundance of fun and unique deals and themes on this year’s schedule, so let’s take a look at some of the highlights. The entire promo schedule can be viewed here and individual tickets will go on sale next Tuesday, Sep. 20.

Keep an eye out for updates to the promo schedule, including several giveaways as they draw closer.

RETURNING CLASSICS

It wouldn’t be a true Checkers’ promo schedule without the staples. These nights have quickly become fan favorites and are once again making an appearance.

Fans will let their stuffed animals fly on Dec. 17 for Teddy Bear Toss, helping Novant Health collect Teddy Bears to be distributed to children for the holidays. The following afternoon’s game will be the ever-popular Star Wars Day, while Race Night is set for Jan. 28 and will feature appearances from notable Sprint Cup drivers.

Finally, you know we can’t forget about our four-legged fans, so the Pooch Party returns on March 26!

NEW THEMES

While the heavyweights are returning, there are also a whole new group of promo nights that are making their debuts in 2016-17.

Jan. 14’s Caturday will see us celebrating all things feline, March 18’s Golf Night puts the spotlight on the favorite pastime of several Checkers players and Jan. 17’s 1950’s Night flashes back to the early days of Charlotte hockey, including throwback pricing on tickets and more.

Super Hero Night will also be making a return on Oct. 29.

In addition, the Checkers will celebrate all things local with Carolina Hockey Night on Feb. 24 and Charlotte Appreciation Day on April 9, while those from out of town will get a chance to represent their hometowns on March 21’s Transplant Night.

SAVE THAT MONEY

The promo schedule is heavy with deals that should help your wallet out throughout the year. Family Night is back with seven opportunities (five Saturdays, one Friday and one Sunday) to save $45 on groups of four tickets, while two of those games (Oct. 29 and Feb. 24) will double as College Nights, which gives students the chance to save on tickets by ordering online with a valid college email address.

If you’re looking for the most bang for your buck, however, you can’t beat Wednesdays at Bojangles’ Coliseum. Aside from having five more of the aforementioned College Nights, all of the Checkers’ midweek contests will be both Winning Wednesdays and Wet Your Whistle Wednesdays. The former means that if the Checkers win, you’ll get a free ticket to the next Wednesday game, while the latter means that Bud Light draughts are $1. So yeah, you’re going to want to be there.

FRESH SWEATERS

The Checkers will don specialty jerseys on two occasions: once for the annual Pink in the Rink game on Feb. 11 and again on March 17 to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.

JOIN IN THE FUN

There are also several promos that allow the fans to get in on the action. Nov. 26 is Slap Shot Saturday, where fans are encouraged to stick around after the game and take a shot on goal. Fans will also get the chance to hit the Bojangles’ Coliseum ice with the players at two postgame skates, held on Nov. 27 and March 5 (Jan. 22 is also a postgame skate, but the players will not be present).

Fans can also celebrate the holidays with Ugly Sweater Nights at each of the four December home games.