"How many games are in the NHL season?" If you have ever typed that into a search bar, you are certainly not the first. Whether you are a newcomer to hockey, a fantasy league enthusiast, or someone hoping to attend a live game, figuring out how the NHL schedule works can feel like a real puzzle. Between exhibition matchups, a lengthy regular season, and a fiercely competitive postseason, it is easy to lose track of what actually matters.
The issue with most resources? They throw a number at you and move on, without explaining what that number really means for fans, scheduling decisions, or even what you will pay for a ticket. And if attending games is on your agenda, timing your purchase can make an enormous difference.
This guide will walk you through exactly how many games make up for the NHL season, how the schedule is organized, why it is built the way it is, and even when the smartest time to grab NHL tickets might be. By the time you finish reading, you will have a thorough understanding of the entire NHL season from the opening puck drop all the way through to the Stanley Cup Final.
How Many Games Are in the NHL Season?
Every NHL team plays 82 games during the regular season.
Here is what that looks like broken down:
41 games played at home
41 games played on the road
With 32 franchises competing in the league, that adds up to an enormous volume of total games throughout the season, making the NHL one of the most action-rich leagues in all professional sports.
In short, the NHL regular season consists of 82 games per team, divided equally between home ice and away venues.
NHL Season Structure Explained
To truly grasp how the NHL season works, you need to look beyond just the number 82. The full season is broken into three distinct phases:
Preseason (Exhibition Games)
Takes place before the official season gets underway
Gives coaches a chance to test different lineups and assess players
Results have no bearing on official standings
Regular Season (82 Games)
The centerpiece of the entire NHL calendar
Teams accumulate points through wins and overtime results
Determines which franchises qualify for the postseason
Playoffs (Stanley Cup Chase)
The top 16 teams advance to the postseason
Played in a best-of-7 series format across four rounds
Concludes with the crowning of a Stanley Cup champion
How Are the 82 NHL Games Scheduled?
The NHL schedule is far from random. It is thoughtfully constructed to strike a balance between competitive fairness, manageable travel demands, and the preservation of meaningful rivalries.
Division-Based Games
Teams face their divisional opponents more frequently than others. This approach:
Intensifies rivalries over the course of the season
Cuts down on excessive travel between games
Keeps divisional races tight and engaging throughout
Conference Matchups
Teams also play against other clubs within their own conference multiple times, helping to ensure fair and meaningful competition when playoff time arrives.
Inter-Conference Games
Every franchise faces opponents from the opposite conference as well, giving fans across the country a chance to watch every team in action at some point during the season.
Travel & Back-to-Back Games
It is common for teams to play on consecutive nights
Extended road trips are a regular part of the schedule
The physical toll of travel can have a noticeable impact on performance
Why Does the NHL Have 82 Games?
The 82-game format did not come about by accident. It developed gradually over time for several well-considered reasons.
Key Reasons:
Revenue Generation:
A longer season translates directly into more ticket sales and more broadcasting opportunities
Competitive Balance:
Playing 82 games gives the strongest teams enough time to separate themselves from the rest of the pack
Fan Engagement:
A season that stretches across months keeps supporters invested for a much longer period
It is worth noting that the NHL shares this 82-game structure with the NBA, while leagues like the NFL operate on a much shorter schedule.
Evolution of NHL Season Length
The NHL has not always run an 82-game season. The current format is the result of decades of gradual change.
Historical Snapshot:
Early years of the league: As few as 44 to 50 games per season
The expansion era: A steady increase in games played
The modern era: Settled and stabilized at 82 games
There have been notable exceptions along the way, including:
Seasons shortened by labor lockouts
A pandemic-affected season with a reduced schedule
These situations illustrate how the league has been willing to adapt its structure when outside circumstances demand it.
How Many Games in NHL Playoffs?
The postseason adds an entirely new dimension of excitement and, naturally, additional games on top of the regular season.
Playoff Format:
16 teams earn a spot in the postseason
The bracket consists of 4 rounds
Each round is decided in a best-of-7 series format
Total Games Per Team:
Minimum: A team needs 16 wins to claim the Stanley Cup
Maximum: As many as 28 games are possible if every series reaches a deciding seventh game
When you factor this in, a championship-winning team could realistically play more than 100 games over the course of a single season.
When does the NHL Season Start and End?
Here is how a typical NHL calendar year unfolds:
Preseason: September
Regular Season: October through April
Playoffs: April through June
This extended schedule makes the NHL one of the longest-running sports seasons in North America.
NHL Season vs Other Major Sports Leagues
Putting the NHL into perspective alongside other major leagues helps paint a clearer picture:
| League | Number of Games | Season Length |
|---|---|---|
| NHL | 82 | 8 months |
| NBA | 82 | 8 months |
| NFL | 17 | 5 months |
| MLB | 162 | 6 months |
The NHL occupies a sweet spot, offering a strong balance between game frequency and overall intensity.
Ticket Price Trends During the NHL Season
If watching a game in person is something you are planning, knowing when to buy can save you a meaningful amount of money.
Cheapest Time to Buy Tickets
Based on trends observed across major ticket marketplaces:
Early in the season, particularly October through November
Weeknight games with less surrounding buzz
Matchups between non-rival teams
Most Expensive Games
Postseason games across all rounds
Rivalry clashes between traditional opponents
Late-season games with significant playoff implications
Price Drop Patterns
Ticket prices tend to follow a recognizable pattern:
Prices are often elevated immediately after schedules are announced
They gradually decrease as game day approaches, provided demand remains soft
They spike again sharply for matchups with high fan interest
This is precisely why it pays to Compare Event Tickets Across Major Sites before making a purchase. Prices can vary considerably depending on both the timing and the level of demand surrounding a particular game.
Best Time to Watch NHL Games (For Fans)
If you are looking to get the most enjoyment for your money, here is a simple breakdown:
Best for Budget Conscious Fans
Games played early in the regular season
Midweek matchups with lower overall demand
Best for Pure Atmosphere
Rivalry games that carry extra stakes and intensity
Any playoff matchup, especially in the later rounds
Best Overall Balance
- Mid-season games, roughly from January through March
Key Takeaways
NHL teams each play 82 regular season games
The full NHL season includes a preseason, a regular season, and a postseason
The playoffs can tack on as many as 28 additional games per team
The season runs from October all the way through June
Ticket prices shift considerably based on demand levels and timing
How Ticketwhiz Helps You Find the Best Deals
Tracking down the right NHL tickets at a price that makes sense can feel overwhelming, especially when prices are constantly shifting across different platforms. That is exactly the problem Ticketwhiz is built to solve.
With Ticketwhiz, you are able to:
Compare ticket prices across multiple marketplaces with ease
Monitor price trends to identify the most favorable moment to buy
Uncover deals that might be missed when searching manually
Save significant time by avoiding the need to jump between countless sites
Whether you are planning well in advance or hunting for something at the last minute, Ticketwhiz helps you make smarter decisions and squeeze more value out of every dollar you spend on tickets.
Final Thoughts: Understanding the NHL Season
So, how many games are there in the NHL season? The core answer is straightforward: 82 games in the regular season. But the complete picture is far richer than that single number suggests. From exhibition warmups in September to the climactic drama of the Stanley Cup Final in June, the NHL delivers months of nonstop hockey for fans to enjoy.
Getting a handle on how the schedule is structured does more than make you a better-informed fan. It helps you plan smarter, whether you are watching from your couch or sitting in the stands. And when it comes to tickets, a little strategy and the right timing can genuinely change what you end up paying.
Now that the NHL season makes complete sense to you, there is just one question left:
Will you lock in your tickets early, or hold out for the right deal to come along?
Start exploring smarter ways to track prices, compare options, and plan your next NHL game experience today.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How many total games are played in the NHL season?
Each franchise plays 82 games, totaling well over 1,300 games across the league during the regular season alone.
Do NHL teams play against every other team?
Yes, every team faces all other franchises at some point during the season, though games against divisional opponents occur more frequently.
How long is the NHL season?
From start to finish, the NHL season typically spans around 8 to 9 months, running from October all the way through to June.
Do NHL ticket prices fall as the game date gets closer?
In many cases, they do, particularly when demand for a specific game is low. However, high-demand matchups often see prices climb the closer you get to game time.
How many victories are required to win the Stanley Cup?
A team must earn 16 wins throughout the playoff bracket to be crowned Stanley Cup champions.