Last updated: September 3, 2026. The full 2026-27 NHL preseason schedule is set. The league released the complete slate on August 13: 65 games across eight days, September 19 to 26, 2026, played at 36 NHL and neutral-site venues. It is the shortest preseason in years, compressed to make room for the new 84-game regular season that opens Tuesday, September 29. Below is every preseason game, day by day, plus the marquee matchups worth circling.

2026-27 NHL Preseason: Quick Facts

• Dates: Saturday, September 19 through Saturday, September 26, 2026
• Games: 65 total across 8 days
• Venues: 36 NHL and neutral-site arenas
• Opening night: 7 games on September 19, headlined by Los Angeles vs. Vegas at Toyota Arena in Ontario, California
• Busiest day: Saturday, September 26 with 14 games
• Regular season opens: Tuesday, September 29, 2026
• Why it is short: the preseason was trimmed to fit the expanded 84-game regular season under the new CBA

Times below are listed in ET and are subject to change. Most preseason games are carried on team and regional streams rather than national TV; check your club’s listing for the broadcast.

2026-27 NHL Preseason Schedule (Day by Day)

Saturday, September 19 (7 games)

Sunday, September 20 (7 games)

Monday, September 21 (8 games)

Tuesday, September 22 (10 games)

Wednesday, September 23 (4 games)

Thursday, September 24 (11 games)

Friday, September 25 (4 games)

Saturday, September 26 (14 games)

Marquee Preseason Games to Watch

• Kraft Hockeyville (Sep 21): Montreal vs. Ottawa at Colisee Videotron in Trois-Rivieres, Quebec, honoring the community’s Hockeyville win with arena upgrades and equipment.
• Opening-night neutral site (Sep 19): Los Angeles vs. Vegas at Toyota Arena in Ontario, California kicks off the whole preseason.
• Hershey (Sep 21): Philadelphia vs. Washington at Giant Center, home of the Capitals’ AHL affiliate.
• Greensboro (Sep 24): Carolina vs. Nashville at First Horizon Coliseum, bringing preseason hockey back to Greensboro.

Why the 2026-27 Preseason Is Shorter

The regular season expands to 84 games in 2026-27, the first change to the length of the schedule since the mid-1990s. To fit the extra games into the calendar without pushing the season deeper into the summer, the league trimmed the exhibition slate. The result is a tight, eight-day preseason from September 19 to 26, with camps opening later and clubs playing fewer tune-up games than in a typical year before the regular season starts September 29.

More 2026-27 NHL Schedules

Planning past the preseason? Browse the full 2026-27 NHL schedule calendar for every team, and check the marquee dates once the regular season opens September 29. For deeper hockey coverage, including printables and national TV, see HockeySchedules.net.

2026-27 NHL Preseason FAQ

When does the 2026-27 NHL preseason start?

The preseason opens Saturday, September 19, 2026 with seven games and runs through Saturday, September 26. The regular season begins Tuesday, September 29.

How many preseason games are there in 2026-27?

There are 65 preseason games across eight days at 36 NHL and neutral-site venues. It is a compressed slate, shortened to make room for the new 84-game regular season.

Are NHL preseason games on TV?

Most preseason games are carried on team and regional streaming rather than national networks. Check your club’s official listing for the broadcast or stream for each game.

Will Lewis Editor, Author

Will Lewis has covered sports for over 18 years, specializing in bracketology, tournament predictions, and in-depth analysis across college hoops, NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, and more. March Madness is his favorite season, fueling his quest for perfect brackets before diving into pro playoffs. A lifelong Kentucky Wildcats fan, Bengals supporter since the Joe Montana era, and now a Padres devotee, Will delivers reliable, fan-first insights at Sports Brackets. Connect on X or comment. He loves talking brackets and more.

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