The Tampa Bay Lightning will finally see the full slate of games that await them in the 2026‑27 season, as the NHL plans to release the complete schedule for all 32 clubs on July 16 at 1 p.m. Eastern Time.
Schedule Release and Broadcast Details
At that moment the league will unveil every opening‑night matchup, giving fans a first look at the dates and opponents that will shape the early weeks of play. In the United States the announcement will air on ESPN, while Canadian viewers can tune in to Sportsnet for the live broadcast.
This year the NHL is expanding its regular‑season calendar to 84 games per franchise, up from the traditional 82. The extra two games come from additional divisional matchups, pushing the league‑wide total to 1,344 contests.
Preseason Showdowns
The Lightning’s preseason will consist of four games, two against the Nashville Predators and two versus the Florida Panthers. The exhibition schedule culminates on September 26, providing a final tune‑up before the regular season begins.
Beyond the on‑ice action, the schedule release will be accompanied by coverage of the ESPY Awards, where several NHL figures — including members of the 2026 United States men’s Olympic hockey team — are slated for recognition.
Guentzel’s Olympic Triumph
Forward Jake Guentzel, a key contributor for Tampa Bay, was part of the gold‑medal‑winning Team USA roster at the 2026 Winter Olympics, adding an international accolade to his résumé.
With the schedule now public, the Lightning and their fans can start mapping out travel plans, ticket purchases and viewing parties, while the broader hockey community anticipates how the expanded slate will affect competition and rivalries throughout the season.