When Does the NHL Season Start in 2026?

Carolina Hurricanes right wing Jackson Blake (53) scores against Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Carter Hart (79) during the first period in Game 4 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final series , Tuesday, June 9, 2026, in Las Vegas.
(AP Photo/John Locher)

The 2026-27 NHL regular season will feature 84 games for every team, a two-game increase from previous iterations. 

So, when will we get to see the hockey odds favourites, contenders, and hopefuls at the BetMGM sportsbook begin their quest to win the Stanley Cup?

Related: NHL Strength of Schedule For All 32 Teams: 2026-27

NHL Regular Season: When Does it Start? 

The 2026-27 NHL season begins on September 29, 2026.

Here are the five games slated for opening night:

Is the NHL Regular Season Schedule Out? 

Yes, the regular season schedule was released on Thursday, July 16, at 1 p.m. ET. 

How Many Games Does Each Team Play in the Regular Season? 

Each team will play 84 games instead of 82. 

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