Home / Sports / NHL Adds 2 Games for 84-Game Season
NHL Adds 2 Games for 84-Game Season
8 Jul
Summary
- NHL's 2026-27 schedule release is set for July 16.
- An 84-game season marks the first such expansion since 1993.
- Last season's Stanley Cup Finals viewership hit 5.2 million.
The National Hockey League is set to unveil its 2026-2027 schedule on July 16th, with opening night matchups revealed the day prior. This upcoming season will feature an 84-game schedule, the first time since the 1993-1994 season that teams will play this many games. This expansion is a significant shift, adding two extra divisional games for each team.
The decision follows a surge in league popularity, notably highlighted by the 5.2 million average viewers for the 2026 Stanley Cup Finals between the Vegas Golden Knights and Carolina Hurricanes. This viewership figure represents the most-watched championship series since 2019.
With a total of 1,344 games, the additional divisional contests are expected to intensify rivalries and playoff races. Fans can anticipate heightened drama, as these extra games could prove pivotal in determining division standings and seeding, making all matchups more engaging throughout the season.
