The National Hockey League has unveiled that the 2026‑27 regular season will open on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, marking the start of an 84‑game schedule per team that includes two extra divisional matchups. The announcement sets the stage for a packed opening night that will be televised across North America.
Opening Night Tripleheader
Fans in the United States will be treated to a tripleheader on ESPN, beginning with the Florida Panthers hosting the Carolina Hurricanes at 5 p.m. ET, followed by the New York Rangers versus the Boston Bruins at 8 p.m. ET and the Vancouver Canucks taking on the Edmonton Oilers at 10 p.m. ET on Sportsnet. In Canada, a doubleheader on Sportsnet will open with the Montreal Canadiens visiting the Toronto Maple Leafs at 7 p.m. ET, while the Chicago Blackhawks travel to face the Vegas Golden Knights at 10:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.
The schedule also highlights several outdoor events that will bring the league to new locales. The 2026 Tim Hortons NHL Heritage Classic is slated for October 25 in Winnipeg, where Carolina will raise its second championship banner before the game. A week later, the Discover NHL Winter Classic will take place on New Year’s Eve at Rice‑Eccles Stadium in Utah, capping the holiday calendar with a high‑profile matchup.
Global Series and International Exposure
The NHL will continue its Global Series tour with games in Helsinki, where the Carolina Hurricanes will meet the Seattle Kraken, and in Düsseldorf, where the Ottawa Senators will square off against the Chicago Blackhawks. These contests, along with a matchup in Winnipeg, underscore the league’s effort to expand its footprint beyond North America.
Broadcast and Streaming Details
In the United States, the Stanley Cup Final will be carried exclusively on TNT, while Canadian viewers will tune into Sportsnet for the same coverage. The regular‑season games will also be split between ESPN and Sportsnet, with the first night of action on TNT featuring the Pittsburgh Penguins versus the Philadelphia Flyers and the Los Angeles Kings versus the Colorado Avalanche. The league’s official broadcaster, NHL Network, will provide additional coverage throughout the season.
All‑Star Weekend and Stadium Series
The 2027 Honda NHL All‑Star Weekend is scheduled for February 5‑6 at UBS Arena on Long Island, featuring the league’s brightest stars. The following summer, the Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series will be held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, bringing outdoor hockey to a football venue.
The complete regular‑season schedule will be released on July 16, 2026, during a special edition of NHL Tonight. Hosted by Jamison Coyle, Thomas Hickey and E.J. Hradek, the program will break down the matchups and highlight storylines for the upcoming campaign.