NHL Schedule Faces 1-Hour Time Shift Challenge: What the Numbers Mean

The NHL will have to adjust its 2026-27 schedule due to British Columbia and Alberta adopting permanent year-round daylight saving time.
The time gap between B.C. and Alberta and parts of Canada that still turn clocks back on Nov. 1 will shrink by an hour.
Game times for sporting events could be impacted, along with long-standing traditions like hockey doubleheaders.
The NHL normally releases its schedule in mid-July, with regular-season play usually beginning in early October.
Experts predict that the change may impact audience numbers, particularly for teams that are not Stanley Cup contenders.

1 hour is the key metric in this story, as it represents the time difference that the NHL will have to adjust to. Historically, the NHL has dealt with various scheduling challenges, but this one is unique in that it affects the entire schedule. The last time the NHL faced a similar challenge was in 2007, when the league expanded to 30 teams and had to reconfigure its scheduling format.

The Full Story / Background & Context

The change to permanent year-round daylight saving time in British Columbia and Alberta will eliminate twice-yearly clock changes in those provinces. This means that the time gap between B.C. and Alberta and parts of Canada that still turn clocks back on Nov. 1 will shrink by an hour. The NHL will have to adjust its schedule to accommodate this change, which may impact game times and traditions like hockey doubleheaders.

Historical Precedent / Has This Happened Before?

The NHL has faced various scheduling challenges in the past, but this one is unique in that it affects the entire schedule. In 2007, the league expanded to 30 teams and had to reconfigure its scheduling format. However, this change is different in that it is driven by a change in daylight saving time, rather than a change in the number of teams or the scheduling format.

Year	Teams	Scheduling Format
2007	30	Reconfigured scheduling format
2026-27	32	Adjusted schedule due to daylight saving time change

Real-World Impact

The change to permanent year-round daylight saving time will have a real-world impact on the NHL and its fans. Game times may be impacted, and traditions like hockey doubleheaders may be affected. The change may also impact audience numbers, particularly for teams that are not Stanley Cup contenders. According to Chris Zelkovich, an instructor at the Toronto-based College of Sports Media, 'Hockey is still a big draw, but if you throw roadblocks at people like starting games at different or inconvenient times, you are going to lose audience.'

'Ensuring hockey games remain accessible for fans in Oil Country is our priority,' said Oilers president and chief revenue officer Stew MacDonald. 'And any shift that results in later game start times is a concern — particularly as it creates challenges for families and young fans attending games or watching live broadcasts.'

Expert Analysis & Scenarios / What Comes Next

Experts predict that the change may impact audience numbers, particularly for teams that are not Stanley Cup contenders. Mike Naraine, an associate sport management professor at Brock University, said, 'I don't think it fundamentally changes their business, but it might, from an advertising perspective, cause [broadcasters] a little bit more [work].'

What This Means For You

If you are a fan of the NHL, this change may impact your viewing habits. You may need to adjust your schedule to accommodate later game start times, particularly if you are watching games on the West Coast. You may also need to be more flexible with your viewing schedule, as the change may impact the timing of hockey doubleheaders.

Be prepared for later game start times, particularly on the West Coast.
Be flexible with your viewing schedule, as the change may impact the timing of hockey doubleheaders.
Consider the impact on your favorite team, particularly if they are not a Stanley Cup contender.
Look for updates from the NHL and your favorite team on how they plan to adjust to the change.
Plan ahead and adjust your schedule accordingly to ensure that you can still watch your favorite team.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the impact of the change to permanent year-round daylight saving time on the NHL schedule?

The change will eliminate twice-yearly clock changes in British Columbia and Alberta, which will shrink the time gap between B.C. and Alberta and parts of Canada that still turn clocks back on Nov. 1 by an hour. This may impact game times and traditions like hockey doubleheaders.

How will the change affect hockey doubleheaders?

The change may impact the timing of hockey doubleheaders, as the time gap between B.C. and Alberta and parts of Canada that still turn clocks back on Nov. 1 will shrink by an hour.

What is the impact on audience numbers?

Experts predict that the change may impact audience numbers, particularly for teams that are not Stanley Cup contenders. According to Chris Zelkovich, 'Hockey is still a big draw, but if you throw roadblocks at people like starting games at different or inconvenient times, you are going to lose audience.'

How will the change affect families and young fans?

The change may create challenges for families and young fans attending games or watching live broadcasts, particularly if game start times are later. According to Oilers president and chief revenue officer Stew MacDonald, 'Any shift that results in later game start times is a concern — particularly as it creates challenges for families and young fans attending games or watching live broadcasts.'

What is the NHL doing to address the change?

The NHL is working to adjust its schedule to accommodate the change to permanent year-round daylight saving time. The league will release its schedule in mid-July, and regular-season play will usually begin in early October.

In conclusion, the change to permanent year-round daylight saving time in British Columbia and Alberta will have a significant impact on the NHL schedule. The league will have to adjust its schedule to accommodate the change, which may impact game times and traditions like hockey doubleheaders. Fans will need to be flexible and adjust their viewing schedules accordingly. The NHL is working to address the change, and the league will release its schedule in mid-July.

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