Full 2025-26 NHL Schedule Released: Key Dates, Rivalry Games & How to Watch

Hockey fans can officially start circling dates on the calendar: the National Hockey League has confirmed that the full 2025-26 NHL schedule will drop on Wednesday, July 16 — just two days from now — with the season itself set to open Tuesday, October 7. What we know so far • Opening-night tripleheader (all on ESPN, Sportsnet, TVA Sports)  • 5 p.m. ET – Florida Panthers vs. Chicago Blackhawks: the reigning Stanley Cup champions raise a second straight banner while Connor Bedard and a revamped Hawks squad try to spoil the party.  • ≈8 p.m. ET – Pittsburgh Penguins vs. New York Rangers: Mike Sullivan’s first game behind the Rangers bench comes against his old club, now coached by Dan Muse.  • 10:30 p.m. ET – Los Angeles Kings vs. Colorado Avalanche: two Western contenders begin redemption campaigns after first-round exits. Key storyline dates to watch for when the full slate is released • Stanley Cup repeat bid: Florida’s quest for a three-peat will highlight marquee rematches with the Edmonton Oilers and Carolina Hurricanes. • Bedard’s sophomore tour: Chicago’s high-profile national TV appearances are expected to spike, especially early-season road games against Original Six rivals. • Utah Mammoth debut season: look for back-to-backs and long road swings as the newest franchise settles into the Western Conference travel grind. • Holiday showcases: the traditional Thanksgiving Showdown and the New Year’s Eve slate often feature rivalry pairings such as Bruins–Canadiens and Flyers–Penguins. • Outdoor spectacles: the Winter Classic, Stadium Series and Heritage Classic sites will be locked into the master schedule, giving travelers time to secure tickets and hotels. Why the release matters Flight prices, hotel availability and premium seat inventory tighten within hours of the schedule announcement. Fans planning multi-city hockey trips or targeting rivalry weekends should be ready to book as soon as the grid drops on July 16. Next steps 1. Set alerts for your favorite team’s social channels at 12 p.m. ET Wednesday; most clubs publish printable PDF versions within minutes. 2. Compare back-to-back stretches if you’re eyeing affordable midweek tickets. 3. Monitor flex-scheduling windows: national broadcasters can swap late-season games, so build some wiggle room if you’re traveling in March or April. With the countdown to puck drop officially underway, the 2025-26 NHL schedule release is poised to be the summer’s hottest click for hockey die-hards.