NHL 2025-26 Schedule: Release Date, Start & Key Info
Every NHL fan knows that feeling in July when the schedule drops—the moment the season starts to feel real and you can finally plan your calendar around hockey. This year, the 2025-26 schedule carries extra weight: it’s the last 82-game season before the league moves to 84 games in 2026-27, and the official release on July 16 gave fans their first full look at the year ahead.
Number of games: 1,312 regular-season games ·
Season start date: October 7, 2025 ·
Team count: 32 teams ·
Games per team: 82 games per team (final 82-game season) ·
Schedule release date: July 16, 2025 ·
Preseason start: Late September 2025
Quick snapshot
- 2025-26 regular season starts on October 7, 2025 (NHL Media News Release)
- Schedule was released on July 16, 2025 (NHL.com Official News)
- This is the final season with an 82-game schedule (NHL Key Dates PDF)
- Exact end date of the 2025-26 regular season (pending playoff schedule) (NHL Key Dates PDF)
- Full list of matchups for the 2026-27 season (NHL.com Official News)
- Specific date of the 2026-27 schedule release (NHL Key Dates PDF)
- Preseason: September 20 – October 4, 2025 (NHL Key Dates PDF)
- Regular season start: October 7, 2025 (NHL Media News Release)
- Regular season end: April 16, 2026 (NHL Media News Release)
- 2026-27 season moves to 84 games (NHL.com Official News)
- Stanley Cup Playoffs start April 18, 2026 (NHL Key Dates PDF)
- 2026-27 schedule expected in July 2026 (NHL Key Dates PDF)
The scheduling details for the 2025-26 season are summarized in the table below.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Regular season start | October 7, 2025 |
| Schedule release | July 16, 2025 |
| Total games | 1,312 |
| Games per team | 82 |
| Format change | Final 82-game season; 84-game schedule begins 2026-27 |
When does the 2025-26 NHL season start?
The 2025-26 NHL regular season begins on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, as confirmed by the NHL’s official news release (NHL.com Official News). Opening night features a tripleheader broadcast on ESPN (US) and Sportsnet/TVA Sports (Canada). At 5 p.m. ET, the Florida Panthers will raise their second Stanley Cup banner before facing the Chicago Blackhawks (NHL Media News Release). The Pittsburgh Penguins visit the New York Rangers at 8 p.m. ET, and the Colorado Avalanche face the Los Angeles Kings at 10:30 p.m. ET (NHL.com Official News).
Preseason action runs from September 20 to October 4, 2025, with training camps opening on September 17 (NHL Key Dates PDF). The implication: fans have a clear runway from camp opening to banner-raising night, with only a six-week gap between the schedule release and puck drop.
What is the NHL 2025-26 schedule release date?
The NHL released the 2025-26 regular-season schedule on July 16, 2025 at 1 p.m. ET, following a preview announcement two days earlier (NHL Media Opening Night PDF). The schedule includes all 1,312 games across 32 teams, with each club playing 82 games (41 home, 41 away) (NHL Media News Release). The NHL has traditionally announced its schedule in mid-July; the 2025-26 release followed the same pattern as previous years (NHL.com Official News).
What this means: fans who mark July 16 on their calendar every summer now have a confirmed date to lock in travel and ticket plans. The league’s consistency in release timing helps season-ticket holders and fantasy players plan months ahead.
Where can I find the NHL 2025-26 schedule in PDF format?
The NHL provides the official schedule directly on NHL.com (league’s official digital home) with printable grid views and team-specific list views. Several media outlets also publish downloadable PDF versions. USA TODAY Sports (major sports publisher) offers a formatted schedule PDF shortly after the league release. Team-specific schedules are available on each club’s official website, for example the Toronto Maple Leafs schedule page (team official site).
The catch: no single aggregator consolidates all PDF options across outlets, so fans typically check NHL.com first, then their preferred local sports site for a team-specific printable version.
When does the NHL season start in 2026?
The 2026-27 NHL season is expected to begin in early October 2026, though the exact date has not been confirmed as of mid-2025. What is confirmed: the 2026-27 season will introduce an expanded 84-game schedule, replacing the 82-game format used for decades (NHL.com Official News). The schedule for that season will likely be released in July 2026, following the established pattern.
The trade-off: two extra games per team may shift the competitive balance, adding travel and recovery demands. For players and fans, the 2026 season will feel different from the 2025-26 farewell to the 82-game era.
What is the NHL 2026-27 schedule?
As of the 2025-26 season, the NHL has not published specific 2026-27 matchups or dates. The league has confirmed only the structural change to 84 games per team (NHL.com Official News). Full schedule details will be released in July 2026 (NHL Key Dates PDF). The expansion to 84 games marks the first schedule change since 1995, when the league last adjusted game counts during its expansion era.
Why this matters: fans should treat the 2025-26 season as the last chance to experience the familiar 82-game rhythm. The 2026-27 schedule will bring two additional games, altering team travel, roster rotation, and fantasy draft strategies.
Timeline: Key dates for the 2025-26 NHL season
- July 16, 2025: NHL releases 2025-26 regular-season schedule (NHL.com Official News)
- September 17, 2025: Training camps open (NHL Key Dates PDF)
- September 20 – October 4, 2025: Preseason games (NHL Key Dates PDF)
- October 6, 2025: Opening day rosters due at 5 p.m. ET (NHL Key Dates PDF)
- October 7, 2025: Regular season begins (NHL Media News Release)
- April 16, 2026: Regular season concludes (NHL Media News Release)
- April 18, 2026: Stanley Cup Playoffs begin (NHL Key Dates PDF)
- July 1, 2026: Free agency opens at 12 p.m. ET (NHL Key Dates PDF)
This timeline helps fans plan their hockey calendar from preseason through the playoffs.
What we know vs. what remains unclear
Confirmed facts
- 2025-26 regular season starts on October 7, 2025 (NHL Media News Release)
- Schedule was released on July 16, 2025 (NHL.com Official News)
- This is the final season with an 82-game schedule (NHL.com Official News)
What’s unclear
- Exact end date of the 2025-26 regular season (pending playoff schedule) (NHL Key Dates PDF)
- Full list of matchups for the 2026-27 season (NHL.com Official News)
- Specific date of the 2026-27 schedule release (NHL Key Dates PDF)
The distinction between confirmed and unclear information helps readers focus on what is solid and what requires future updates.
“The 2025-26 NHL regular season kicks off with a tripleheader on Tuesday, October 7, featuring the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers raising their banner.”
— NHL Media Official News Release (source)
“The 2025-26 NHL season will be the 108th season of operation for the National Hockey League, with 32 teams each playing 82 regular-season games.”
— Wikipedia, 2025-26 NHL season (source)
The 2025-26 NHL schedule is more than a list of game times—it’s the final chapter of a format that has defined hockey for three decades. For fans planning their year, the dates in July are non-negotiable: circle October 7, 2025, because after this season, the 82-game era ends and a new 84-game rhythm begins. For season-ticket holders, the choice is clear: enjoy this last familiar ride, or start adjusting your expectations for the expanded schedule ahead.
media.nhl.com, printyourbrackets.com, media.nhl.com, media.nhl.com
Frequently asked questions
What time do most NHL 2025-26 games start?
Most regular-season games are scheduled for 7 p.m. or 7:30 p.m. local time on weeknights and 7 p.m. or 8 p.m. ET nationally televised games on weekends. Exact times vary by team and broadcast partner.
How can I buy tickets for 2025-26 NHL games?
Tickets go on sale through each team’s official website and the NHL’s Ticket Exchange. Season ticket holders typically get presale access before the general public.
Will the 2025-26 NHL season have an All-Star break?
Yes, the NHL has typically held an All-Star break in late January or early February, though the exact 2025-26 All-Star dates have not been confirmed.
Are there any national TV broadcasts for opening night?
Yes, the opening night tripleheader will be broadcast on ESPN in the US and on Sportsnet and TVA Sports in Canada, as announced by the NHL.
What is the NHL 2025-26 preseason schedule?
The preseason runs from September 20 to October 4, 2025. Each team plays roughly 6-8 exhibition games against divisional opponents.
Do all 32 teams start on October 7, 2025?
No. Only eight teams play on opening night (Oct. 7). The remaining 24 teams begin their schedules on subsequent days, typically within the first week.
How does the 2025-26 schedule differ from previous years?
The basic structure (82 games, 41 home/41 away) remains the same. The key difference is that this is the final season before the league expands to 84 games and potentially alters divisional scheduling.
For further questions, check the NHL’s official website or your team’s schedule page.
Related reading: How Old Is Wayne Gretzky? Age, Net Worth & Retirement (2026) — context on hockey’s biggest star. Toronto vs Inter Miami: 2026 MLS Preview, Tickets, Stats & H2H — another major sports schedule in 2026 for Canadian sports fans.
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