A Revamped Season Ahead
The Columbus Blue Jackets have released their 2026‑27 schedule, a 84‑game lineup that kicks off on October 1 with a matchup against the Buffalo Sabres. The announcement comes as the team trims its preseason to just four contests, effectively moving the regular season forward and giving fans more action early in the calendar.
A notable shift is the emphasis on divisional play. The Jackets will meet Metropolitan Division rivals 28 times, a figure that reflects the league’s desire to intensify regional rivalries and gives the club a better chance to climb the standings through familiar opponents.
Fans can also mark their calendars for a series of holiday home games. The arena will be open for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Eve, offering traditional afternoon starts that have become a staple for families looking to combine festivity with hockey.
The schedule also includes 13 back‑to‑back sets, three fewer than the previous season, and the longest road trips are limited to four games. However, one stretch stands out: a 7 p.m. contest in Washington followed by a 5 p.m. game against the Edmonton Oilers at Nationwide Arena, leaving only 22 hours for recovery.
Travel logistics are designed to be manageable. A mid‑March swing will take the team from Detroit to Winnipeg to Pittsburgh, while earlier in the year they head to Western Canada and the Pacific Northwest before finishing the month in California. Overall, the travel load is described as challenging yet balanced.