When does hockey season start? The 2026-27 NHL regular season begins on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, with an opening night that features Carolina at Florida and Toronto at Montreal. Below you will find the exact start date, a full list of key dates, and where to grab a printable schedule.
When does the 2026-27 NHL season start?
The NHL regular season opens on Tuesday, September 29, 2026. Preseason games run through the second half of September, so teams are back on the ice a couple of weeks earlier. Moreover, this season is a milestone: for the first time since 1993-94, every team plays an expanded 84-game schedule.
2026-27 NHL key dates
Here are the dates worth circling for the 2026-27 season, from opening night to the Stanley Cup Final.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Regular season opening night | Tuesday, Sept 29, 2026 |
| Heritage Classic (Winnipeg) | Oct 25, 2026 |
| Winter Classic (Salt Lake City) | Dec 31, 2026 |
| NHL All-Star Game (Elmont, NY) | Feb 7, 2027 |
| Stadium Series (Arlington, TX) | Feb 20, 2027 |
| Regular season final day | April 10, 2027 |
| Stanley Cup Playoffs begin | Mid-April 2027 |
| Stanley Cup Final | June 2027 |
When do college and other hockey leagues start?
Hockey season is bigger than just the NHL. College hockey (NCAA) usually drops the puck in early October, and the AHL and major junior leagues also open in the fall. Therefore, if you follow more than one league, expect the action to ramp up across September and October.
Get the printable 2026-27 NHL schedule
Once the season starts, a printable schedule keeps every game in front of you. First, pick the format you want below: the full 2026-27 NHL schedule with team PDFs, the month-by-month calendars, or the national TV schedule.
- 2026-27 NHL Schedule: All 32 Team Printable PDFs
- Printable 2026-27 NHL Schedule Calendars (All 32 Teams)
- 2026-27 NHL National TV Schedule
When Does Hockey Season Start FAQ
When does the NHL season start?
The 2026-27 NHL regular season starts on Tuesday, September 29, 2026. Preseason games are played through the second half of September.
How many games do NHL teams play in 2026-27?
Each team plays 84 games, which is the first 84-game NHL season since 1993-94.
When do the 2026-27 NHL playoffs start?
The regular season ends on April 10, 2027, and the Stanley Cup Playoffs begin in mid-April, with the Stanley Cup Final in June 2027.
When does college hockey start?
NCAA hockey generally begins in early October, just a few days after the NHL opener.
Where can I get a printable NHL schedule?
You can download free printable 2026-27 NHL team schedules, month-by-month calendars, and a national TV schedule from our NHL schedule pages.
For the official league calendar, see the NHL.com schedule.
