Blackhawks Move 19 of 23 Weeknight Home Games to 7 PM in 2026-27
Updated
Updated · Chicago Sun-Times · Jul 16
Blackhawks Move 19 of 23 Weeknight Home Games to 7 PM in 2026-27
3 articles · Updated · Chicago Sun-Times · Jul 16
Summary
Chicago will start most 2026-27 home weeknight games at 7 p.m. instead of 7:30, while all weekend home games will begin at 6 p.m. or earlier.
Eighty-three percent of surveyed ticket buyers favored 7 p.m. or earlier weeknight starts, reinforcing a broader NHL shift away from 7:30 local faceoffs.
The change is sharp from last season: 22 of 26 non-holiday home weeknight games started at 7:30 or later, versus 19 of 23 at 7 p.m. or earlier this season; national TV windows drive most exceptions.
Weekend scheduling also tilts earlier, with 11 of 19 home games on Saturdays, Sundays or holidays set as matinees, up from three last season.
The 84-game season opens Sept. 29 at Vegas in ESPN's opening-night tripleheader, with Chicago's home opener against St. Louis on Oct. 6 and two games in Germany against Ottawa in December.