NHL releases expanded 84-game schedule for 2026-27 season
The NHL is growing its regular season from 82 to 84 games, introducing a revamped schedule that features international games, outdoor classics, and a new All-Star format.
The National Hockey League (NHL) unveiled its 2026-27 regular-season schedule on Thursday, marking the first expansion of the standard 82-game format to 84 games per team. The revised schedule, announced across multiple platforms including nhl.com and sports.yahoo.com, features a September 29 opening night with five games, including the Carolina Hurricanes raising their Stanley Cup banner before facing the Florida Panthers. The season will conclude on April 10, with all 32 teams in action on both the opening and closing days.
The shift to 84 games per team, part of a collective bargaining agreement, increases divisional matchups to four games against each rival while maintaining 24 games against Pacific Division opponents and home-and-home sets with Eastern Conference teams. The schedule also introduces a “steady stream of Monday weekday matinee games” to accommodate European viewers, with games starting as early as 12 p.m. ET on Mondays. This adjustment aims to strengthen the league’s international appeal and provide unique fan experiences in North America.
Key highlights include the return of outdoor games, such as the Discover NHL Winter Classic on New Year’s Eve at the University of Utah’s Rice-Eccles Stadium, where the Utah Mammoth will host the Colorado Avalanche. The Tim Hortons NHL Heritage Classic will feature the Winnipeg Jets and Montreal Canadiens outdoors in Winnipeg on October 25, while the Dallas Stars and Vegas Golden Knights will face off in the 2027 Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series at AT&T Stadium in Texas. The NHL Global Series will also return, with the Carolina Hurricanes and Seattle Kraken playing in Helsinki, Finland, and the Ottawa Senators and Chicago Blackhawks in Dusseldorf, Germany.
Team-specific schedules reveal notable matchups and events. The Boston Bruins will host the Colorado Avalanche on December 1, coinciding with Patrice Bergeron’s jersey retirement ceremony. The St. Louis Blues, opening their season with a three-game road trip against the Dallas Stars, Colorado Avalanche, and Chicago Blackhawks, will play six of their first eight games away from home. The Edmonton Oilers will begin with a home-and-home set against the Vancouver Canucks, followed by a visit from the Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes. The New York Rangers’ season opener against the Bruins at TD Garden on September 29 will be part of a tripleheader broadcast on ESPN.
The schedule also includes rematch scenarios from the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs, such as the Pittsburgh Penguins facing the Philadelphia Flyers and the Los Angeles Kings challenging the Colorado Avalanche. The Washington Capitals’ Oct. 7 home opener against the Penguins will feature Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin, both in their 22nd NHL season. Additionally, the Hurricanes’ Jan. 17 home game against the Vegas Golden Knights will mark the first meeting between the two teams since the Hurricanes’ 2026 Stanley Cup victory.
International games and special events underscore the league’s global focus. The NHL All-Star Weekend, returning after a two-year hiatus, will feature a new format with five teams—Canada, Finland, Sweden, the United States, and a “World” squad—competing in a 3-on-3 round-robin tournament. The All-Star Skills competition will highlight 10 young players under 25, while the All-Star Game will take place at UBS Arena in New York. The league’s broadcast partners, including ESPN, TNT, and Sportsnet, will provide comprehensive coverage, though specific details on programming remain pending.
For fans, the expanded schedule offers more opportunities to engage with teams and events. The Boston Bruins announced individual game tickets for the 2026-27 season would go on sale July 17, while the Edmonton Oilers emphasized the availability of full, half, and quarter-season seats. Despite the increased number of games, the NHL has maintained traditional elements, such as theme nights and rivalry matchups, ensuring continuity for long-time followers. The 2026-27 season promises to be a pivotal year for the league, blending innovation with established traditions as it expands its footprint both domestically and internationally.
