The air gets crisp. The sun sets a little earlier. If you’re like me, that's the signal. It’s hockey time. But honestly, keeping track of the exact day the puck drops has become a bit of a moving target lately. Between international games in Europe and tripleheaders on national TV, "Opening Night" isn't always just one night anymore.
If you’re looking for the short answer: the 2025-26 NHL regular season officially kicked off on Tuesday, October 7, 2025.
But that's just the tip of the iceberg. This season is weird. In a good way. We’ve got Olympic breaks, outdoor games in baseball stadiums, and a schedule that feels more like a world tour than a standard hockey season.
When Does the NHL Regular Season Start? The October Kickoff
Most people assume the season starts on a Thursday or maybe a weekend. Nope. The NHL loves a mid-week splash. For the 2025-26 run, the league went with a Tuesday tripleheader to get the juices flowing.
It wasn't just any random set of games, either. The Florida Panthers, fresh off their championship high, got to raise their Stanley Cup banner against the Chicago Blackhawks. It’s a classic narrative—the reigning kings versus a historic franchise. That same night, the Rangers and Penguins went at it, followed by the Avalanche taking on the Kings out west.
Basically, the league wants you glued to the couch for about seven straight hours.
Why the Date Shifts Every Year
You've probably noticed it isn't always October 7. The NHL usually aims for the first or second week of October. They have to balance a few things:
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- The end of the MLB postseason (nobody wants to compete with the World Series).
- The start of the NBA season.
- The NFL’s "Thursday Night Hockey" overlap.
Wait. I meant "Thursday Night Football." My brain is already on the ice.
The Preseason Tease: September 20
Before the real points are on the line, we have the preseason. This year, it started on September 20, 2025.
I’ll be real with you—preseason hockey is a bit of a mixed bag. You’re watching a lot of kids in jerseys with high numbers trying not to get cut. But it's also the first time we see big off-season moves in action. This year, all eyes were on Mitch Marner making his debut with the Vegas Golden Knights. Seeing him in that gold bucket for the first time? It felt surreal.
The preseason lasted 15 days, wrapping up on October 4. If you missed it, don't sweat it. It's mostly about the coaches figuring out who belongs on the fourth line and who's headed back to the AHL.
Key Dates You Can't Miss This Season
If you missed the October start, don't worry. The season is a marathon, not a sprint. But because this is an Olympic year, the calendar looks a little "Frankensteined" together.
The Olympic Break (The Big One)
This is the part that catches people off guard. The NHL is actually hitting the "pause" button in February.
- Last games before break: February 5, 2026.
- The Pause: February 6 to February 24.
- NHL Resumes: February 25, 2026.
Why? Because the boys are heading to Milan. For the first time since 2014, NHL players are back in the Winter Olympics. This means no All-Star Game this year. Instead, we got a "send-off" event at the Islanders' new rink before the players hopped on planes to Italy.
The Outdoor Games
Hockey belongs outside. Even in Florida, apparently.
- The Winter Classic: January 2, 2026. The Panthers hosted the Rangers at loanDepot Park in Miami. Yes, a hockey game in a baseball stadium in Miami. They kept the roof closed for the ice, then opened it for the game. Genius or madness? Maybe both.
- The Stadium Series: February 1, 2026. The Lightning took on the Bruins at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa.
The Finish Line: April 16, 2026
The regular season isn't just about the start; it's about the frantic scramble at the end. The 1,312-game slate is scheduled to wrap up on April 16, 2026.
After that? The real season begins. The Stanley Cup Playoffs are expected to start around April 18. If you're planning your life around this, just clear your schedule for late April and all of May. Your family will understand. Maybe.
Actionable Steps for the Dedicated Fan
Stop Googling "when does the NHL regular season start" every three days. Just do this instead:
- Sync the Schedule: Go to your favorite team's official site and use the "Add to Calendar" feature. It’ll push every game, including the weird mid-afternoon starts, directly to your phone.
- Check the Broadcast Map: With the move to Amazon Prime for Monday nights in Canada and the ESPN+/TNT split in the US, "where" to watch is as important as "when."
- Track the Olympic Roster: Since the league is pausing in February, keep an eye on the "Four Nations" standings and Olympic qualifiers. It's going to dictate which stars are playing through injuries and who's getting rested.
- Plan for 2027: Just a heads up—this is the last year of the 82-game schedule. Starting next season (2026-27), the league is expanding to 84 games. More hockey, less sleep.
The puck is already moving. Whether you’re tracking McDavid’s point streak or just waiting for your team to finally win a faceoff, the 2025-26 season is shaping up to be one of the most unique in a decade.