NHL insider Pierre LeBrun has revealed the likely timeline for the 2026/27 season suggesting that fans should prepare for one of the earliest opening nights in recent league history.
With three weeks remaining in the current NHL regular season which concludes Thursday, Apr. 16, the league is finalizing next season’s schedule. According to LeBrun, the plan calls for a Sep. 29 start date with the regular season wrapping up on Apr. 10.
“The NHL is still working on next season’s schedule but my understanding currently is that the regular season will drop the puck on Sept. 29 and wrap up April 10,” LeBrun posted on X.
“Subject to change, but that’s the current plan. And as per new CBA, going to 84 games per team.”
The Sep. 29 start date will be one of the earliest opening nights in modern NHL history which is a significant change in the league’s scheduling. The Apr. 10 conclusion is designed to ensure the Stanley Cup playoffs finish by mid-June addressing long-standing criticism about the NHL season extending too deep into summer.
NHL 2026/27 season will feature two more regular season games
The 2026/27 campaign will also feature an expanded 84-game regular season schedule, up from the traditional 82 games. This is the first time since the 1993-94 season that teams will play more than 82 regular season games.
The change to 84 games was agreed upon in the new collective bargaining agreement between the NHL and NHLPA, which was signed in June 2025 and covers the 2026/27 through 2029/30 seasons.
The two additional games are expected to be divisional matchups providing fans with more opportunities to see their team face divisional opponents.
By compressing the schedule and finishing earlier, the NHL aims to avoid competing with summer activities and other sports while also providing players with a longer offseason for rest and recovery. The earlier finish would also reduce overlap with the NBA playoffs and the heart of the MLB season.
Edited by Anjum Rajonno
