NHL Expands to 84 Games for 2026-27 Season

Sport

By lines

July 17, 2026

The NHL 84-game schedule arrives in 2026-27, the league’s longest regular season in decades. The league released the calendar on Thursday. Every team adds two games for the first time since 1993-94.

Why the NHL Grew Its Season to 84 Games

The NHL last played 84 games per team in the 1993-94 season. The league moved to 82 games in 1995-96 and held there. The 2026-27 season opens September 29 across the league. All 32 teams will combine to play 1,344 regular-season games.

The two extra games go toward divisional matchups under the new format. Teams had raised concerns about an uneven divisional slate at 82 games. The 84-game total adds 32 dates over the 1,312 games played at 82 apiece. Opening night also shifts to late September for the first time.

The expansion stems from the new collective bargaining agreement between the NHL and players. The 2026-27 calendar is the first schedule built under that deal. The move marks the league’s first season expansion in more than 30 years. The NHL framed the longer slate as a fix for competitive balance.

The NHL now sits between the NBA and MLB in schedule length. The NBA plays 82 games and MLB plays 162 each season. The NFL expanded to a 17-game regular season in 2021. The NHL jump to 84 games follows a wider push toward longer seasons.

More games mean more gate receipts and broadcast inventory for the league. The 32 added dates give networks fresh rivalry windows to sell. Each club also gains extra home dates under the new format. The players accepted the longer slate within the collective bargaining agreement.

The longer season stretches player workloads and rest across the winter. Contract bonuses and games-played thresholds now sit against an 84-game baseline. Point totals in the standings will also climb above 82-game norms. Team travel and salary-cap planning shift with two added dates per club.

The NHL will release national broadcast windows and marquee matchups next. Training camps open in September before the September 29 start. Players and teams now plan for a schedule not seen since 1993-94. The 84-game season sets a new baseline for the years ahead.