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The NYPD faced off against the FDNY for their annual charity ice hockey game on Sunday, March 29 in New York
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A massive brawl broke out between players on each side approximately eight minutes into the first period
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While the players pounded and pushed each other on the ice, the referees got the situation under control before another fight commenced at the end of the game
The ice got heated.
The NYPD reunited with the FDNY for the 52nd annual “Heroes Hockey” charity game on Sunday, March 29, an already intense matchup between the rivals that escalated significantly when sticks dropped and fists flew in the first period.
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With the score tied 1-1 approximately eight minutes into the game, several players on the opposing teams began pouncing on each another at UBS Arena in New York, as seen in a clip shared by the arena on social media.
NYPD and FDNY brawl at 2026 charity hockey game.
Credit: UBS Arena/X
In the video, the red-and-white-clad FDNY and the green-jerseyed NYPD threw relentless punches at each other, while several referees attempted to break up the melee.
The refs eventually got the situation under control, resulting in a packed penalty box.
Ultimately, the NYPD were victorious with a 3-2 win over the FDNY. The victory marked the first time in 10 years that the police defeated the firefighters in the annual charity game.
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The players picked their brawl back up after the game wrapped. Several NYPD and FDNY players threw punches and shoves once more, taking several minutes for the fight to break up.
NYPD and FDNY fight in first period of annual charity hockey game on Sunday, March 29, 2026.
Credit: UBS Arena/X
While on-ice brawls are nothing new in professional ice hockey, flying fisticuffs have a history in the police and fireman face off from years past. They also go down in their other charity sport match-ups.
One decade ago when the NYPD took on the FDNY in football, the Brooklyn-based charity game — ironically called the “Fun City Bowl” — resulted in a bloody brawl between members of each side, reported ABC News in 2016.
NYPD and FDNY fight during 2026 charity hockey game.
Credit: UBS Arena/X
Fists flew on the 50-yard line as tempers heated up during the traditional post-game handshake, with some athletes exiting the field bloodied and bruised. The NYPD won 29-13 that year.
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The NYPD said at the time that the melee just shows that football is “a competitive sport whether it’s the NFL Super Bowl or the annual NYPD-FDNY challenge,” per the outlet.
Read the original article on People
