For fans of the National Hockey League (NHL), the rhythm of the regular season is a familiar and exciting part of the annual sports calendar. A key question for many, especially new fans, is: how many games are in an NHL season? Traditionally, the answer has been 82 games, a format that has been in place for decades. However, discussions are underway within the league that could potentially change this number, impacting the future structure and excitement of professional hockey.
Currently, the NHL regular season is structured around this 82-game format, designed to create a balance between divisional rivalries, intra-conference play, and inter-conference matchups. Within this structure, each team faces divisional opponents either three or four times, totaling 26 games that are often the most intense and closely watched. Further building out the schedule, teams play non-divisional opponents within their own conference three times each, adding another 24 games. To ensure nationwide exposure and competition, the remaining 32 games are played against teams from the opposing conference, with each team meeting twice, once at home and once away.
This existing format, while long-standing, has faced some criticism, particularly regarding the balance of divisional rivalries. For instance, within the Metropolitan Division, some high-profile rivalries, such as the New York Rangers versus the New York Islanders or Philadelphia Flyers, are only played three times a season. This can leave fans wanting more of these emotionally charged and often higher-stakes games. The current schedule means that fans might have to wait long stretches between rivalry matchups, sometimes even months, diminishing the consistent buzz and engagement that these games can generate.
To address these concerns and potentially amplify the excitement around divisional rivalries, the NHL is considering expanding the regular season to 84 games. This proposed increase of just two games might seem small, but it carries significant implications for scheduling and fan engagement. The core idea behind this expansion is to allow the league to maintain its current structure, where every team plays each opponent at least once per season, while simultaneously increasing the number of divisional rivalry games. Under the 84-game model, divisional rivals could face each other four times each season. This adjustment would guarantee fans more frequent matchups between their favorite rivals, potentially boosting attendance, viewership, and overall interest in the regular season. The additional revenue generated from these high-interest rivalry games is also a significant factor being considered. To accommodate these extra regular-season games, one potential solution being discussed is a slight reduction in the preseason schedule.
Interestingly, the NHL has historical precedent for an 84-game season. From 1992 to 1994, the league briefly experimented with this format. During this period, two “neutral site” games were added to each team’s schedule. This historical example demonstrates that an 84-game season is logistically feasible within the NHL framework, although any return to this format would require agreement between the league and the NHL Players’ Association (NHLPA), particularly due to collective bargaining agreement restrictions on exceeding 82 games.
Expanding the season length is not the only solution being explored to enhance rivalries and optimize the schedule. Other options under consideration include adjusting the schedule to reduce travel demands and increase the frequency of divisional matchups within road trips. The NHL implemented a version of this during the shortened 2020-21 season, which was condensed to 56 games due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This “COVID schedule” demonstrated the potential benefits of playing multiple games against the same opponent in close succession, particularly for divisional rivals. Such strategies could save on travel costs and logistics while maximizing the excitement of rivalry games.
While discussions about expanding to an 84-game season are ongoing and were not formally addressed at the recent Board of Governors meeting, the topic is expected to be a point of discussion at the upcoming general managers’ meeting. Any changes to the NHL season structure require careful consideration and, crucially, the approval of the NHLPA. The debate reflects the league’s ongoing efforts to balance tradition with innovation, aiming to maximize fan engagement, revenue, and the competitive integrity of the game. Ultimately, the question of how many games in an NHL season might evolve in the coming years as the league seeks to refine its schedule for the modern era.
