2026-27 will be a new time in the era of the National Hockey League as the league prepares for an expanded regular season. Next season, the number of regular-season games in the NHL will be increased to 84, a change that’s unprecedented over the past over 30 years. This change is creating new challenges for the player, coach and organization on each team and adding 2 games to the schedule for each team this season.
The 1,344 regular-season games scheduled for the 2026-27 season set for the NHL are the most in league history. Then, the campaign starts on Sept. 29 and goes through April 10, as the 32 teams play all 84 games. It features the return of teams after only the third season of 84-game regular seasons in NHL history, according to the pub. Those were during the 1992-93 and 1993-94 seasons.
These extra games do more than just get thrown in on the schedule haphazardly. Clubs will have two extra divisional matches to play, thus providing each side with more meet encounters. With the new format, each team will now play 42 home and 42 road games in the regular season.
The other thing that was a difference between the two schedules is the number of demands they put on players in the NHL. With more “long-term” games comes the opportunity for player fatigue, as well as roster building, injury planning, and recovery. Coaches will need to be watchful on ice time with these teams following a long campaign to the Stanley Cup Finals.
They’ve also got a shorter pre-season period with the extended schedule. Preseason was modified for the first time in 2026-27, with the change to accommodate the extra games in the regular-season schedule.
More opportunities for hockey fans to see their favorite teams and divisional rivalries. But for teams, the additional two games may make consistency and player management more key as the league moves forward in the new arena of competition.
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