The National Hockey League (NHL) is gearing up for a significant scheduling shift ahead of the 2026-27 season, following British Columbia and Alberta’s decision to implement year-round daylight saving time. This change, effective this autumn, will eliminate the biannual clock adjustments in these provinces, narrowing the time difference between them and other parts of Canada that still observe standard time. As a result, the NHL may need to reconsider game times and broadcasting schedules to accommodate this new reality.
A New Time Zone Landscape
Beginning this fall, British Columbia and Alberta will no longer revert to standard time, creating a one-hour reduction in the time gap with regions that maintain traditional clock changes. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman acknowledged the potential impact on game scheduling, particularly for teams in Calgary, Edmonton, and Vancouver. “We’ll deal with it just as we deal with whatever things come our way that we don’t get to control,” Bettman stated prior to Game 1 of the Stanley Cup final.
Typically, the NHL reveals its schedule around mid-July, with the regular season kicking off in early October. However, this year’s adjustments may require more strategic planning than usual.
Implications for Game Times and Viewership
The change in timekeeping may disrupt traditional scheduling patterns, particularly affecting matchups between Eastern and Western Canadian teams. Teams like the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, and Ottawa Senators usually hold home games at 7 p.m. local time, which has allowed for doubleheaders with Western teams that traditionally play later due to the time difference.
With the new time structure, overlap in game start times could occur, leading to potential conflicts for broadcasters and viewers. Chris Zelkovich, an instructor at the College of Sports Media in Toronto, emphasised the importance of maintaining viewer engagement: “If you throw roadblocks at people, like starting games at different or inconvenient times, you are going to lose audience.”
The Broader Impact on Fans and Families
The shift in game times will not only affect scheduling but also the experience for fans attending games or watching from home. Stew MacDonald, president and chief revenue officer of the Edmonton Oilers, expressed concerns over later game start times, stating, “Ensuring hockey games remain accessible for fans in Oil Country is our priority.” He emphasised that changes leading to later finishes could pose challenges for families and younger audiences.
While some teams are adapting to the new time zone landscape, the Calgary Flames and Vancouver Canucks have yet to issue comments regarding their strategies in light of the upcoming changes.
Broadcasting Challenges
Broadcasters are also likely to face complications as they adjust to the new scheduling requirements. According to Mike Naraine, an associate professor of sport management at Brock University, while the change may not fundamentally alter the NHL’s business model, it could introduce additional complexities in advertising and scheduling for television networks. “It’s not a problem, but just another thing that they just work through,” he remarked.
The Canadian Football League (CFL), which also features regional doubleheaders, will be minimally affected this season, as its regular season concludes before the NHL’s start.
Why it Matters
The NHL’s adaptation to permanent daylight saving time in British Columbia and Alberta signals a broader shift in how sports leagues may need to navigate timekeeping changes as society evolves. As the league strives to maintain its audience and ensure accessibility for all fans, the implications of this adjustment will resonate beyond scheduling, impacting viewership, attendance, and the overall connection between teams and their communities. The successful navigation of this challenge could serve as a model for other leagues facing similar changes in the future.
