When does the 2026-27 NHL season start? Here are the key dates

The NHL 2026-27 regular season will get underway that day, kicking off a change to a longer 84-game schedule – up from 82.

Training camps will open in mid-September, and the shortened preseason schedule will begin on Sept. 19.

There will be no in-season international tournament this season, but the NHL All-Star Game will return for the first time since 2024 and feature an international theme .