The NHL is gearing up for a significant adjustment to its 2026-27 schedule following British Columbia and Alberta’s shift to permanent daylight saving time this autumn. This change will eliminate the biannual clock changes in these provinces, effectively reducing the time difference between them and regions that still revert to standard time. As a result, game schedules and televised doubleheaders may be affected, creating a new set of challenges for the league.
A Shift in Time
Starting this fall, both British Columbia and Alberta will no longer change their clocks twice a year, a decision that has been long discussed and formalised over the past few months. British Columbia announced its plans in March, and Alberta followed suit in late September. This move will shrink the time gap between these provinces and areas of Canada that stick to standard time, particularly affecting game start times for NHL teams.
With this adjustment, the NHL is aware that traditional scheduling practices may need to be re-evaluated. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman acknowledged the potential impact stating, “It may affect some start times in Calgary, Edmonton, and Vancouver. But we’ll deal with it just as we deal with whatever things come our way that we don’t get to control.”
Implications for Fans and Broadcasts
The NHL typically releases its schedule in mid-July, with the regular season kicking off in early October. The change in time structure poses a dilemma, especially for teams like the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, and Ottawa Senators, who generally begin their home games at 7 p.m. local time. Historically, teams from Alberta and British Columbia have started their games two to three hours later, facilitating doubleheaders that fans eagerly anticipate.
However, with the time difference now reduced by an hour, teams may need to consider later start times to ensure that games do not overlap and that they can retain their television slots. Chris Zelkovich, an instructor at the College of Sports Media in Toronto, emphasised that while hockey remains a popular sport, inconvenient scheduling could deter audiences. “If you throw roadblocks at people like starting games at different or inconvenient times, you are going to lose audience,” he remarked.
As NHL teams like the Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers, and Vancouver Canucks adjust to a new schedule, they will have to consider the implications of later start times. These changes could affect family attendance and young viewers who tune in for live broadcasts.
A Broader Impact on the League
In addition to the internal scheduling challenges, the shift in daylight saving time will also have ramifications for teams playing on the road, particularly against rivals on the U.S. West Coast. Games that begin at 9:30 p.m. in Alberta could stretch into the early hours of the morning, creating a less favourable viewing experience for local fans.
Stew MacDonald, President and Chief Revenue Officer of the Edmonton Oilers, noted the importance of making games accessible, stating, “Ensuring hockey games remain accessible for fans in Oil Country is our priority. 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.”
While the Calgary Flames opted not to comment on the situation, the Vancouver Canucks did not respond to inquiries regarding potential scheduling adjustments. Broadcasters such as Sportsnet and TSN underscored that the NHL ultimately sets game times, leaving the networks to adapt as needed.
Navigating New Norms
Experts believe that while the change in time may pose logistical hurdles, it is not a crisis for the league. Mike Naraine, an associate sport management professor at Brock University, remarked, “I don’t think it fundamentally changes their business. It might, from an advertising perspective, cause broadcasters a little bit more work. It’s not a problem, but just another thing that they just work through.”
The Canadian Football League (CFL), which also features doubleheaders, will not be significantly impacted this year as its regular season concludes on October 24. Thus, both leagues will have to navigate their respective scheduling challenges as they adapt to this new temporal landscape.
Why it Matters
The transition to permanent daylight saving time in British Columbia and Alberta is not just an administrative change; it has the potential to reshape how fans engage with hockey. As the NHL contends with the implications on game timing, it will need to balance the demands of broadcasting and fan accessibility. This shift serves as a reminder of how even seemingly minor adjustments in timekeeping can ripple through the fabric of professional sports, affecting everything from viewership to attendance and the overall experience of fans across the nation.
