NHL · USA / Canada
NHL Schedule 2026–27 — Season Dates, Playoffs, Stanley Cup
NHL 2026–27 season key dates: opening week, All-Star Game, trade deadline, playoffs, Stanley Cup Final.
Key dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Preseason starts | Late September 2026 |
| Opening Night | October 7, 2026 |
| Winter Classic | January 1, 2027 |
| All-Star Weekend | February 5–7, 2027 |
| Trade Deadline | March 5, 2027 |
| Regular season ends | April 17, 2027 |
| Playoffs begin | April 19, 2027 |
| Stanley Cup Final | June 3–17, 2027 (best-of-7) |
| NHL Draft | Late June 2027 |
Season structure
The NHL season runs from early October to mid-April with each of the 32 teams playing 82 games. Sixteen teams reach the Stanley Cup Playoffs — three division qualifiers from each division plus two wild cards per conference. All playoff rounds are best-of-seven.
The Winter Classic, played outdoors on or near New Year's Day, is one of the NHL's marquee regular-season events.
How to subscribe
NHL.com offers official team iCal feeds — visit your team's page, click Schedule, then look for the calendar-subscribe icon.
Frequently asked questions
When is the 2027 Winter Classic?
January 1, 2027. Venue and matchup are announced ~6 months in advance.
How long does the Stanley Cup Final last?
Up to 7 games over roughly 2 weeks, typically starting in early June.