NHL · 2026-27 · Opening Week
NHL Season Opener 2026 Date
2026-27 opening week · Global Series TBA · ESPN / ABC / Max
Season
2026-27 NHL (82-game regular season)
Expected Opening
Early–mid October 2026 (TBA)
Opening Week TV
ESPN, ABC, Hulu / Max (national games)
Global Series
Possible European or international openers (TBA)
The NHL season opener 2026 starts the 2026-27 regular season, usually with a full opening week in October plus possible Global Series games overseas. This page tracks opening night dates, TV channels, and start times in ET when the NHL publishes the schedule.
NHL Opening Week 2026 — Quick Facts
Season
2026-27 NHL (82-game regular season)
Expected Opening
Early–mid October 2026 (TBA)
Opening Week TV
ESPN, ABC, Hulu / Max (national games)
Global Series
Possible European or international openers (TBA)
Stanley Cup
2025-26 playoffs & finals run through June 2026
Schedule Hub
Daily NHL games on SportBusy
NHL Season Opener 2026 FAQ
When is the NHL season opener 2026?
The 2026-27 NHL season is expected in early–mid October 2026, with possible Global Series games before North American openers.
What channel is the NHL season opener on?
National games air on ESPN, ABC, and streaming on ESPN+/Hulu/Max in the U.S. Canadian games air on Sportsnet and TSN.
What is the NHL Global Series?
Regular-season games played internationally before the domestic schedule ramps up, when scheduled by the league.
What time does the NHL season opener start?
Opening week puck drops are typically 7:00 PM and 10:00 PM ET for national windows; exact times are listed when the NHL releases the schedule.
How does the NHL opener relate to the Stanley Cup playoffs?
The 2025-26 Stanley Cup playoffs end in June 2026. The October 2026 opener starts the 2026-27 campaign.
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