NHL expands season to 84 games amid rivalry concerns
The National Hockey League has released its 2026-27 schedule, increasing the regular-season slate to 84 games per team to address franchise concerns over imbalanced divisional play.
The National Hockey League has released its 2026-27 regular-season schedule, marking a structural shift by increasing the number of games per team from 82 to 84. This expansion, implemented under a new collective bargaining agreement that begins its four-year term on 16 September, aims to address franchise concerns regarding imbalanced divisional rivalries. The season will commence on 29 September with the Carolina Hurricanes hosting the Florida Panthers.
The decision to extend the schedule represents a departure from the 82-game format established in the 1995-96 season. Under the revised structure, each team will play two home and two road games against its seven division rivals. The remaining schedule comprises two home and one road game against four conference opponents, one home and two road games against the other four conference teams, and a full round-robin against opponents in the opposite conference.
The league has also introduced scheduling adjustments to cater to international markets. Nearly two dozen Monday afternoon games will serve as primetime broadcasts in European markets. The NHL stated that these changes further the league's commitment to deepening connections with international fans and driving brand awareness for clubs abroad.
Key dates in the 2026-27 calendar include the season opener on 29 September, featuring a tripleheader on ESPN. The league will hold its revamped All-Star Weekend at UBS Arena on Long Island in early February, featuring a skills competition for players aged 25 and younger and a 3-on-3 tournament involving teams from Canada, Finland, Sweden, the United States, and a "World" team.
The schedule features three outdoor matches, including the Heritage Classic in Winnipeg and the Winter Classic in Salt Lake City. The NHL Global Series will also take place in Helsinki and Düsseldorf, Germany. The league noted that all 32 teams will be in action on 13 October and 10 April, while the Carolina Hurricanes and Vegas Golden Knights will rematch in Las Vegas on 21 December.
