Chicago Blackhawks adjust home game start times for 2026-27 season
The Chicago Blackhawks are implementing earlier start times for their home games during the upcoming 2026-27 NHL season. This adjustment aims to accommodate fans attending games at the United Center.
Most weeknight games are now scheduled to begin at 7 p.m., a shift from the previous 7:30 p.m. start. Additionally, all weekend games will commence at 6 p.m. or earlier. This move aligns the Blackhawks with a growing trend among NHL teams, as 7:30 p.m. local start times have become less common across the league.
Last season, 22 of 26 Blackhawks home games on weeknights, excluding holidays, started at 7:30 p.m. or later. For the 2026-27 season, 19 of 23 weeknight games, excluding holidays, will start at 7:00 p.m. or earlier. National television broadcasts, which have their timings set by the league, account for most of the exceptions to these new start times.
The number of matinee games on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays has also increased significantly. The upcoming season will feature 11 matinees out of 19 weekend and holiday games, a rise from just three last season. None of these games will have late starts.
The decision to change game times followed a survey sent to some ticket buyers last week, inquiring about their preferred start times. The feedback received was influential in altering long-standing traditions, as reflected in the official NHL schedule released on Thursday.
Season Highlights and Key Matchups
The Blackhawks will begin their season on the road for the ninth consecutive year. Their first game is scheduled for September 29, visiting the Golden Knights as part of ESPN’s opening-night tripleheader. This marks the first time the team will open its season in September, prompted by the extended schedule.
Following their game against the Golden Knights, the Blackhawks will continue a three-game road trip, with subsequent visits to the Mammoth and Sabres.
The team’s home opener is set for October 6, when they will host the Blues. This will be followed by a seven-game home stand. Another seven-game home stand is scheduled from February 17 to March 1.
Notable home games on the schedule include a Black Friday matinee on November 27 against the Rangers, and a New Year’s Day matinee on January 1 against the Bruins.
Between these dates, the Blackhawks will travel to Dusseldorf, Germany, for two previously announced matchups against the Senators. These two games will be their only contests within a two-week period from December 13 to December 27.
The team will have a bye week at the beginning of February, leading into the 2027 NHL All-Star Game on February 6, which will be hosted by the Islanders. Coincidentally, two separate visits to the Sharks will book-end this break.
Should the Blackhawks remain in contention for a playoff spot into March, they will face a challenging schedule with two four-game road trips. These trips will include a combined six games against divisional opponents during the final weeks of the season. The Blackhawks will conclude their regular season at home on April 10 against the Kraken.
League-Wide Schedule Details
The 2026-27 NHL season will see the league expand to 84 regular-season games for each team, a change from the previous format and the first time since 1994. This expansion results in a total of 1,344 games across the league, setting a new all-time NHL record.
Teams across the league marked the release of the full 2026-27 regular-season schedule on Thursday by sharing various videos on social media, announcing their 84 games.
The Boston Bruins, another Original Six franchise, will open their season by hosting the Rangers on Tuesday, September 29, at TD Garden. The puck drop for that game is scheduled for 8 p.m. and will be broadcast on ESPN.
The Bruins and Rangers were involved in a pair of trades on July 1. Boston sent goalie Joonas Korpisalo to New York in exchange for AHL forward Kalle Vaisanen and a fourth-round pick in the 2028 draft. The Bruins then acquired defenseman Will Borgen for a 2027 second-round draft pick and a conditional 2028 third-rounder. Individual tickets for the 2026-27 season will be available to the public on Friday at 2 p.m.
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Source: chicago.suntimes.com
