The 2026-27 NHL preseason starts earlier than usual this year. With the regular season expanding to 84 games for the first time since the mid-90s, training camps and exhibition play are compressed, and the first games are set for mid-September 2026, with the regular season opening in late September.
The NHL releases preseason games team by team rather than all at once, so this page fills in as each club posts its slate. Here is what is confirmed so far, plus where to find every team’s full 2026-27 schedule. The league’s official calendar is posted at NHL.com.
Released So Far: 2026-27 NHL Preseason Schedules
The first wave is out, led by the Western Canada clubs. We will add teams to this page as they announce, so check back as the rest of the league posts its dates.
Edmonton Oilers
- Sat, Sept 19 vs. Winnipeg Jets
- Tue, Sept 22 at Winnipeg Jets
- Thu, Sept 24 at Vancouver Canucks
- Sat, Sept 26 vs. Calgary Flames
Calgary Flames
- Sun, Sept 20 vs. Seattle Kraken (home opener)
- Tue, Sept 22 vs. Vancouver Canucks
- Thu, Sept 24 at Seattle Kraken
- Sat, Sept 26 at Edmonton Oilers
Winnipeg Jets
- Sat, Sept 19 at Edmonton Oilers
- Mon, Sept 21 vs. Colorado Avalanche
- Tue, Sept 22 vs. Edmonton Oilers
- Fri, Sept 25 at Colorado Avalanche
Why the 2026-27 Preseason Is Shorter
Under the new Collective Bargaining Agreement, the regular season grows from 82 to 84 games. To fit the extra games, the league moved up the calendar: camps open sooner, exhibition play is trimmed, and the first preseason games land around Sept 19. The regular season is expected to open in late September 2026, with the Stanley Cup awarded by mid-June.
Find Every Team’s 2026-27 Schedule
- 2026-27 NHL Schedule Hub: key dates, the 84-game format, and printable team schedules for all 32 clubs.
- When Is the 2026-27 NHL Schedule Released?: the release timeline as the full slate drops.
- NHL Team Identity Guide: logos, colors, and arenas for all 32 teams.
2026-27 NHL Preseason FAQ
When does the 2026-27 NHL preseason start?
The first exhibition games are set for mid-September 2026, around Sept 19, earlier than usual because of the 84-game season.
Why is the NHL preseason shorter in 2026-27?
The regular season expands to 84 games, so camps open sooner and exhibition play is trimmed to fit the longer calendar.
When is the 2026-27 regular season opener?
The season is expected to open in late September 2026, with the Stanley Cup awarded by mid-June.
How are preseason schedules released?
Team by team, not all at once. Clubs post their slates through late June and July, and this page updates as they do.
