The NHL faces a new challenge for its 2026-27 schedule due to British Columbia and Alberta transitioning to year-round daylight saving time. This change will eliminate biannual clock adjustments in these provinces, reducing the time difference with other parts of Canada that continue to observe clock changes on Nov. 1.
The shift may impact game times for sporting events, including long-standing traditions such as hockey doubleheaders. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman acknowledged the potential impact on start times in Calgary, Edmonton, and Vancouver but expressed confidence in adapting to unforeseen circumstances.
Typically, the NHL announces its schedule in mid-July, with the regular season commencing in early October. Chris Zelkovich, an instructor at the College of Sports Media in Toronto, emphasized the importance of maintaining viewer interest by avoiding inconvenient game times.
British Columbia and Alberta’s move to permanent daylight saving time was finalized in March and last month, respectively. This change poses a complication for Canadian doubleheaders involving teams in different time zones, requiring strategic scheduling adjustments to address the reduced time gap.
Zelkovich highlighted the potential challenges for fans, suggesting that adjustments may be necessary for teams contending for the Stanley Cup. The Winnipeg Jets, located in the Central Time Zone, will also be affected by these changes.
Teams like the Flames, Oilers, and Canucks may experience late game finishes during road games on the U.S. West Coast due to the time shift. Oilers’ President Stew MacDonald expressed concerns about later game start times affecting accessibility for fans, particularly families and young attendees.
While the Flames and Canucks refrained from commenting, representatives from Sportsnet and TSN stated that the league determines the schedule and start times. Mike Naraine, an associate sport management professor at Brock University, views this adjustment as a manageable challenge for broadcasters.
The CFL, with nine teams nationwide, also features regular doubleheaders in its schedule. As the regular season concludes on Oct. 24, the CFL will not be significantly impacted by the time changes this year.