National TV Landscape Transforms
The Chicago Blackhawks have revealed the full extent of their national television commitments for the upcoming 2026‑27 NHL season, confirming that 17 games will appear on the league’s flagship broadcast partners.
ESPN and TNT will split the coverage, each receiving a designated portion of the schedule, a arrangement that promises a mix of early‑evening and primetime slots to reach a broad audience.
The first of those nationally televised contests is slated for September 29, when the Blackhawks travel to face the Vegas Golden Knights on ESPN, marking the opening night of the league’s televised slate.
In addition to the network assignments, the league announced eight specific start‑time adjustments, including a new 8:30 p.m. CT kickoff for the October 1 matchup and a 6:30 p.m. CT slot for the October 29 game, both designed to accommodate regional viewing patterns.
While the national schedule is now set, the Blackhawks’ local broadcasts on the Chicago Sports Network remain pending, with officials promising further details in the coming weeks.
The televised slate will feature contests against a who’s‑who of the league, including the Florida Panthers, Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Rangers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Dallas Stars, San Jose Sharks, Minnesota Wild, Colorado Avalanche, Washington Capitals, and Seattle Kraken, ensuring that fans across the country will have ample opportunities to follow their team.
Fans can also look forward to newly scheduled games against Utah, Detroit, New Jersey, and Seattle, which have received revised start times as part of the league’s effort to balance competitive and broadcast considerations.