NHL 2026–27: 84 games and earlier starts for Europe

The NHL moved from 82 to 84 games per team in 2026–27. In practical terms, that means two additional games for every club and 1,344 games across the league. For European viewers, the most useful change is not only the longer season: the league also scheduled several Monday games at earlier times. That makes them easier to follow than traditional North American evening starts, but it does not settle where they can be watched, because media rights and available services vary by country.

Why the schedule now has 84 games

The official schedule announcement confirms that each of the 32 teams received two more regular-season games. The season began on September 29, 2026, and ends on April 16, 2027.

The Montreal Canadiens provide a concrete example of how the expansion works. According to the club’s announcement, Montreal’s two extra games are divisional, with the Canadiens now facing every Atlantic Division opponent four times. It is the team’s first 84-game season since 1993–94.

The supplied sources do not explain the complete opponent distribution for every other team. The league-wide fact is therefore the addition of two games; Montreal’s confirmed arrangement should not be used to assume the exact format for another club.

A longer regular season and a shorter Montreal preseason

The Canadiens described their preseason as shortened. That reduction helps accommodate the expanded program, although the source does not establish a single preseason-length rule for all 32 teams.

Montreal opened the regular season on the road against the Toronto Maple Leafs on September 29. Its first game at the Bell Centre followed on October 6 against the Carolina Hurricanes. Those dates make clear that the 84-game format expands the regular season rather than merely adding exhibition dates.

What European viewers gain

The NHL says several Monday games were scheduled earlier so fans in Europe could watch league teams and stars. The wording matters: the measure covers several games, not every Monday or the entire schedule.

Europe also hosts regular-season action. The Hurricanes and Seattle Kraken were scheduled to play in Helsinki on November 12 and 14, while the Chicago Blackhawks and Ottawa Senators are due to meet in Düsseldorf on December 18 and 20.

Start times can change during the season

The schedule released in July should not be treated as fixed. In August, the league published an extensive list of start-time updates, affecting Montreal games as well as many other teams.

That list uses the host cities’ local times. Because later adjustments remain possible—and European conversions depend on country and daylight-saving rules—the safest approach is to check the official NHL schedule near game day before setting a reminder.

A schedule is not a broadcast agreement

The NHL identified ESPN/ABC and TNT/HBO Max as national rightsholders in the United States and Sportsnet in Canada, while saying full broadcast details would be announced when available. That information does not establish how to watch in France, Spain, Portugal or other European markets.

An earlier game may therefore be more convenient without being carried by the same channel or service in every territory. Viewers need to verify the official start time and the authorized broadcaster or platform in their own country separately. This distinction keeps scheduling information from becoming an unsupported viewing promise.

Other special dates on the season calendar

Beyond the 84-game format, the calendar features three outdoor games and the return of the NHL All-Star Game, scheduled for February 5 and 6 at UBS Arena. All 32 teams are also in action on the same day twice: October 13 and April 10.

In short, the season is two games longer per club, and some windows were designed to reduce the time-zone barrier for Europe. To follow it reliably, however, fans still need to check the schedule, local time conversion and territorial media rights separately.