Mid-South Monarchs Home Opener Set at Landers Center
Professional hockey returns to Southaven this weekend as the Mid-South Monarchs home opener brings the Baton Rouge Kingfish to the Landers Center for back-to-back games on Friday, Oct. 23, and Saturday, Oct. 24. Doors open at 6 p.m. both nights, and the puck drops at 7 p.m.
The two-game set is the first time the new Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL) franchise will play in front of a home crowd. The Monarchs spent the first three weekends of their inaugural season on the road and arrive in DeSoto County with a 1-3 record.
Mid-South Monarchs Home Opener Details
- Who: Mid-South Monarchs vs. Baton Rouge Kingfish
- When: Friday, Oct. 23, and Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026. Doors open at 6 p.m., and games start at 7 p.m.
- Where: Landers Center, 4560 Venture Drive, Southaven
- Tickets: On sale now through Ticketmaster and the Landers Center box office, (662) 280-9120
- Can’t make it? The team says fans can watch games live on the Monarchs’ YouTube channel.
The Landers Center listing does not list ticket prices or giveaways for either night, so check the venue or team website before heading out.
Monarchs Arrive Riding Their First Win
The Monarchs opened the season with two losses at Monroe, Louisiana, falling 6-3 and 5-1 to the Moccasins on Oct. 9 and 10. The trip to California started with a 5-0 shutout loss to the Fresno Falcons on Oct. 16.
The next night, the club picked up the first win in franchise history, beating Fresno 6-3. According to the team’s game recap, Darion Benchich scored twice, and Emerson Emery, Tyler Houmard, Mike McBride and Frank Trazzera added goals. Goaltender Wyatt Friedlander made 56 saves on 59 shots.
Hockey Back at the Landers Center
The opener marks the return of pro hockey to the arena that was once home to the Mississippi RiverKings. Crews installed the ice at the Landers Center last week in preparation for the Monarchs’ first home games.
The team’s name was chosen in a fan vote in May, after the franchise was announced in March as Mid-South Pro Hockey. According to the DeSoto Times-Tribune, the name nods to Elvis Presley and to the RiverKings. The team is owned by Andreas Johansson and coached by Mac Jansen.
Players have been building local interest ahead of the opener. At an Oct. 13 meet-and-greet at Mugshots Bar and Grill in Olive Branch, defenseman Camron Cervone, a former RiverKing, told the Times-Tribune he was “eager to have hockey come back,” and broadcaster Cole Perenti called it “really cool to bring hockey back here.”
What’s Next
After the Baton Rouge series, the Monarchs will continue the 2026-27 FPHL season in the league’s Delta Division. Fans can find the full schedule and future home dates on the team’s website and the Landers Center events calendar.
For more on the team’s first weeks, read Mid-South Monarchs Win First Game in Franchise History and Landers Center Ice Installed for Monarchs Home Opener.
Source: Landers Center; additional reporting from the DeSoto Times-Tribune
