The National Hockey League (NHL) has announced the dates for the release of the highly anticipated 2026-27 regular-season schedule. Canadian hockey enthusiasts can look forward to the unveiling of opening night matchups on Wednesday, July 15. These pivotal games, which will officially kick off the new season, will be broadcast exclusively on Sportsnet in Canada.
The following day, Thursday, July 16, at 1 p. m. ET, the complete 2026-27 NHL regular-season schedule will be released. This season marks a significant change as each team will play an 84-game schedule, a return to this format for the first time since the 1993-94 season. This expansion of the regular season comes as part of the new Collective Bargaining Agreement between the league and the NHL Players' Association.
The announcement follows a successful 2025-26 season, which the league reported saw record-breaking viewership and attendance across North America. Fans can anticipate a full slate of 1,344 games throughout the upcoming season, with two additional divisional games added to each team's schedule. This adjustment ensures more rivalries and divisional play, adding another layer of excitement to the competition.
The league will also detail its signature events for the 2026-27 season as part of the July 15 announcement, providing a comprehensive preview of the year ahead.
