Western Hockey League launches 2026-27 season tonight
Calgary, Alta. – The Western Hockey League officially launches the 2026-27 WHL Regular Season on Friday evening. The WHL enters its 61st season as the 23 WHL member Clubs across Western Canada and the Pacific Northwest begin the journey in pursuit of a WHL Championship.
“As we embark on the 61st season of WHL hockey, we say thank you to the millions of fans across Western Canada, the Pacific Northwest and across the globe for being with us every step of the journey,” commented WHL Commissioner Dan Near. “The WHL’s fan footprint has grown substantially in the last year and we’re truly grateful for how fans around the world are embracing our teams and players.” – LETTER from WHL COMMISSIONER DAN NEAR
WHL GAMES STREAMING FREE on YOUTUBE
To start the 2026-27 WHL Regular Season, all WHL games will be streamed for FREE on YouTube. WHL fans can expect the same quality production they have come to expect from the WHL’s streaming product. New for 2026-27 through YouTube’s community-oriented platform, fans can look forward to engaging in live chat with one another during WHL games.
WHL OPENING WEEK PRESENTED BY RE/MAX
WHL Opening Week presented by RE/MAX stretches 10 days from Friday, September 18, through Sunday, September 27, and features 36 games across the WHL.
The opening night of the WHL schedule features five games, including the final Saddledome home opener in WHL history, when the Calgary Hitmen welcome the Red Deer Rebels on Friday at 7 p.m. MT.
Saturday, September 19, features 10 games, with the defending WHL Champion Everett Silvertips set to raise the franchise’s first Ed Chynoweth Cup banner when they host the Portland Winterhawks at Angel of the Winds Arena in downtown Everett at 6:05 p.m. PT.
2026-27 WHL Regular Season Schedule
WHL INTRODUCES VIDEO REVIEW & EXTENSION OF ‘NO RETURN’ OT PILOT
Prior to the start of the 2026-27 WHL Regular Season, the WHL introduced the Coach Challenge for possible offside goals, Referee video review on all major and match penalties, and the continuation of the preseason pilot program for ‘No Return’ three-on-three overtime.
- Coach Challenge for Possible Offside Goals: A team may now request a Coach Challenge to review a play that results in a goal call on the ice where the defending team claims that the play should have been stopped due to offside.
- Referee Video Review of Major & Match Penalties: Referees shall review all Major and Match penalties, except fighting majors, at the penalty box to confirm the penalty assessed or downgrade the penalty.
- ‘No Return’ Three-on-Three Overtime Pilot Continues: Introduced during the 2026 WHL Preseason, the ‘No Return’ three-on-three overtime pilot will continue through the duration of the 2026-27 WHL Regular Season. Under this format, a team in possession and control of the puck in the attacking zone may not retreat back into the neutral zone or their own defending zone.
Full details on new video review and ‘No Return’ three-on-three overtime were announced Wednesday, September 16. – LEARN MORE
2027 WHL PROSPECTS GAME TO BE HOSTED IN BRANDON
The 2026-27 WHL Regular Season will feature the second WHL Prospects Game, to be hosted Wednesday, February 17, 2027, at the Keystone Centre in Brandon, Man.
The 2027 WHL Prospects Game will pit the most highly touted, NHL Draft-eligible prospects in a one-game showcase in front of hundreds of NHL scouts and thousands of WHL fans.
Brandon last hosted a major WHL or Canadian Hockey League (CHL) event in November 2014, when Team WHL hosted Team Russia during the 2014 CHL Canada-Russia Super Series. – DETAILS
2026-27 WHL CALENDAR
Beginning with the 2026-27 WHL Regular Season, the WHL regular season will extend by one week. The decompressed schedule will create additional rest and recovery for players, opportunity for additional strength and conditioning, and support for the athletes’ educational priorities.
The 2026-27 WHL Regular Season begins Friday, September 18, and will end one week later than has been historically scheduled, with the final day of the 2026-27 WHL Regular Season falling Sunday, March 28, 2027.
The 2027 WHL Playoffs are scheduled to begin Wednesday, March 31, 2027, with the first round of the WHL Playoffs now being contested as a best-of-five.
AIR TRAVEL FOR SELECT ROAD GAMES
New for 2026-27, WHL Clubs are permitted to travel via air for one (1) set of road games to start and return home, under the following parameters:
- Trip by bus must be greater than 10 hours;
- Applies to out-of-conference travel only
This initiative will further augment the WHL Player Experience, contribute to the enhancement of player development, and is an adaptation to the changing hockey landscape.
COUNTDOWN TO WHL OPENING WEEK CONTEST: PRESENTED by RE/MAX
By completing a simple survey, WHL fans can enter to win two (2) tickets to a 2026-27 WHL Regular Season game, plus a jersey from your favourite Club, thanks to longtime WHL sponsor RE/MAX. Visit the contest page prior to Friday, September 18, at 11:59 p.m. MT to enter. – CONTEST
WHL & THE BANKES BROTHERS “RISK IT ALL” TO START 2026-27
Hailing from Victoria, B.C., The Bankes Brothers provide the soundtrack to WHL Opening Week presented by RE/MAX, with their upbeat, high-energy track “Risk It All.”
A four-piece alternative / indie rock band formed in 2017, The Bankes Brothers features brothers Morgan and Nelson Bankes on vocals, joined by Carson Cleaver on lead guitar, and drummer Gray Oxley.
WATCH – Welcome to the 2026-27 WHL Regular Season ft. The Bankes Brothers
About the Western Hockey League
Regarded as the world’s finest development league for junior hockey players, the Western Hockey League (WHL) head office is based in Calgary, Alberta. The WHL consists of 23 member Clubs with 17 located in Western Canada and six in the U.S. Pacific Northwest. A member of the Canadian Hockey League, the WHL has been a leading supplier of talent for the National Hockey League for over 60 years. The WHL is also the leading provider of hockey scholarships with over 375 graduates each year receiving WHL Scholarships to pursue a post-secondary education of their choice. Each season, WHL players also form the nucleus of Canada’s National Junior Hockey Team.
