The National Hockey League's 32 owners and the National Hockey League Players Association have ratified a new Collective Bargaining Agreement. The new CBA will be implemented from the 2026-27 season to the 2029-30 campaign.
Both sides had an understanding to the parameters of an agreement before the 2025 NHL Draft in late June. The current Collective Bargaining Agreement was to expire in September 2026.
The number of regular season games will now increase from 82 to 84 starting in 2026-27. The NHL has used an 82-game slate since the 1995-96 season. It means that teams will face all clubs in their division four times.
Beginning with the 2026-27 league calendar, NHL players can re-sign with their current team to a maximum seven-year contract and a maximum six-year contract if the sign with another club. 2025-26 will be the final season where players can agree to eight-year contracts with their current team along with seven-year contracts with other franchises.
The NHL salary cap with see a 9% increase to the ceiling over the next couple of seasons. It is at $95.5 million for the upcoming 2025-26 campaign. The player payroll ceiling for NHL teams will be at $104 million in 2026-27 and $114 million in 2027-28.
All 32 NHL teams will now play just four preseason contests. NHL players involved in 100 games or more will be required to play in a minimum two preseason games.
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