In the sports world, hockey season just started, and for Macon hockey fans far from the ice rinks of Boston and New York, the city has its own team. The Macon Mayhem was established back in 2014 and began playing in the 2015-2016 season after relocating from Augusta. Since the team's move, it has developed strong ties to the community and formed a loyal and dedicated fan base while enjoying some early success.
“It’s tough to say what exactly led the team to Macon, other than wanting to bring hockey back to an arena/city that has had it multiple times, and seen success with it before," Graham Tuck, the media relations and broadcasting coordinator for the team, said in an email.
The Mayhem are not the first team to call Macon home. The Macon Whoopee and the Macon Trax were both short-lived teams that played inside the Macon Coliseum over the years. The Coliseum, built in the 1968, has hosted a number of professional sporting events and concerts in the more than 7,100-seat arena.
Even during the offseason, many things are happening behind the scenes. Tuck said that the business side of the team takes over then, where ticket prices are analyzed, themes and promotions from the previous season are evaluated and community partnerships are reconfigured, among other duties.
"And that’s without even touching the actual team on the ice,” he added.
The Mayhem’s 2025-2026 season started on the road two weeks ago against the Pensacola Ice Flyers, followed by another away game versus the Birmingham Bulls. The home opener was Saturday, Oct. 25, against the Huntsville Havoc. The team's next home game is on Nov. 21 at 7 p.m. against the Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs.
The Macon Mayhem is a part of the SPHL. The league is made up of 10 teams in multiple states, ranging from Alabama to Illinois. The SPHL is considered a minor professional, meaning it is a step below the ECHL. That league is a tier below the American Hockey League, which is followed by the National Hockey League. While the SPHL does not have affiliations with the NHL like the ECHL and the AHL, the league still creates opportunities for many players to be moved around within the leagues for a chance to make it to the NHL.
The 58-game season has just started, allowing for many opportunities to catch a game as the season goes all the way into the new year. Tickets are available from $10. The team has partnered with Taco Mac, Tuck said, to offer fans a chance to watch both home and away games outside at the restaurant’s location on Bowman Road in Macon. More information about the team and the schedule can be found on the Mayhems website and their socials.
Ryleigh Sandefur '28 is a Journalism and History double major at Mercer University. She loves writing for The Cluster and photography, and she enjoys watching movies, hockey and baseball, as well as crafting in her free time.
