BUFFALO, N.Y. — The echoes of “Go Bandits!” roared through downtown Buffalo as a sea of orange and black surged toward KeyBank Center, fueling hopes for a historic moment in lacrosse. The Buffalo Bandits, fresh off a thrilling 5-4 win over the San Diego Seals in the NLL quarterfinals, are just two games away from clinching a third consecutive National Lacrosse League championship—and the fans are all in.
From young superfans like Quinn Brodie, who raced to the arena after school, to diehard season ticket holders like Carol Pennesi, the energy around Banditland is electric.
“We’re really pumped. We come every week, every game. We eat, we cheer, we yell—it’s a tradition,” Pennesi said, smiling proudly in her Bandits gear.
Longtime fans know exactly what’s at stake. Kyle McCubbin captured the moment: “We’re going for the threepeat. Not even the Chiefs could do that. This team is special.”
Buffalo’s lacrosse culture has grown into something unmatched. From the pounding bagpipes before the opening whistle to the blackout intros and booming chants, Bandits games offer an atmosphere rivaling any in pro sports.
“Going to a Bills game is one thing. Sabres, meh,” joked Mark Miller. “But the Bandits? From start to finish, it’s all-out intensity. Bandits Nation hits different.”
The fandom runs deep—sometimes even generational. Young fan Logan shared, “My dad played for the Bandits and retired in 2017. He played with Dhane Smith. I’ve grown up watching him—he’s the best in the world.”
Next stop: the NLL semifinals on Friday, May 2 at KeyBank Center. With momentum on their side and a city behind them, the Bandits are charging toward history—and Banditland is ready to roar.
