A common question that comes up this time of year is when are the 2026-27 NHL schedules released? The 2026-27 NHL regular season schedule is expected to be officially released by the league in late June or early July 2026, shortly after the conclusion of the 2026 Stanley Cup Finals. Under the new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), the 2026-27 season will feature an expanded 84-game schedule and is projected to begin in late September 2026.
When is the 2026-27 NHL Schedule Released?
For the 2026-27 NHL season, which will be a big one with the league expanding to an 84-game regular season (up from 82) under the new CBA, the schedule is expected sometime in late June or early July 2026. The league hasn’t made an announcement for when are the 2026-27 NHL schedules released yet. Based on historical trends and the upcoming changes (including a potential late-September start and shortened preseason), the release should come after the 2025-26 playoffs wrap up in June 2026.
We’ll update this page as soon as the NHL drops the official date! In the meantime, here’s what we know from past releases.
Expected 2026-27 NHL Schedule Release Timeline
Historically, the NHL follows a consistent pattern for its schedule reveal. Here is the projected timeline for the 2026-27 announcement:
- Stanley Cup Finals End: Mid-June 2026
- NHL Entry Draft (Buffalo, NY): June 26–27, 2026
- Full Schedule Release: Between June 28 and July 5, 2026
- Training Camps Open: Early September 2026
- Regular Season Opener: Late September 2026
Historical NHL Schedule Release Dates (Last 10 Years)
| Season | Release Date | Day of Week |
| 2025-26 | July 16, 2025 | Wednesday |
| 2024-25 | July 2, 2024 | Tuesday |
| 2023-24 | June 27, 2023 | Tuesday |
| 2022-23 | July 6, 2022 | Wednesday |
| 2021-22 | July 22, 2021 | Thursday |
| 2020-21 | N/A (COVID-impacted) | N/A |
| 2019-20 | June 25, 2019 | Tuesday |
| 2018-19 | June 21, 2018 | Thursday |
| 2017-18 | June 22, 2017 | Thursday |
| 2016-17 | June 21, 2016 | Tuesday |
The NHL prefers mid-week drops (Tuesdays/Thursdays are common), and releases usually happen 2-3 months before the season starts. For 2026-27, with the expanded schedule and a projected late-September opener, expect a similar timeline – likely June or July 2026.
What’s New for the 2026-27 NHL Season?
- 84-Game Season: The first since the early 1990s, with more games overall.
- Earlier Start: Late September kickoff to fit the extra games and end the Final around mid-June.
- Shortened Preseason: Teams will play fewer exhibition games.
- Full Schedule Access: Once released, the full slate will be on NHL.com/schedule, with TV/streaming details (ESPN, TNT, NHL Network, etc.) added later.
- Winter Classic & Stadium Series: The Winnipeg Jets are scheduled to host the Montreal Canadiens for the 2026 Heritage Classic on October 25, 2026.
Preseason schedules typically come out team-by-team after the regular season drops. We’ll do like we have in the past and keep a running tally for you.
2025-26 NHL Regular and Postseason Schedules
Stay tuned to NHL.com or follow us for the latest! We’ll post the full 2026-27 schedule printable and TV lineups right here on SportsBrackets.net as soon as it’s official. Until then, you can checkout our 2025-26 NHL Schedules and 2026 NHL Stanley Cup Playoff schedule.
FAQ: NHL Schedule & Season Info
Question: When does the 2026-27 NHL season start?
Answer: The regular season is expected to begin in late September 2026. This is earlier than previous seasons to allow for the new 84-game format.
Question: How many games will be in the 2026-27 NHL season?
Answer: Every NHL team will play 84 regular-season games in 2026-27, an increase from the standard 82-game slate used in recent years.
Question: When are the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs?
Answer: While waiting for the 2027 schedule, the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs are scheduled to begin on Saturday, April 18, 2026.
