Maple Leafs will open NHL season Sept. 29—earliest regular-season opener in franchise history
Toronto hosts Montreal at Scotiabank Arena as NHL expands regular season to 84 games; season starts one week earlier than traditional October date.
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The Toronto Maple Leafs will play the earliest regular-season opener in franchise history when they host the Montreal Canadiens at Scotiabank Arena at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, September 29.
The date marks the start of the NHL's 2026-27 season expanded to 84 games. Each team will play two additional divisional matchups, giving the Leafs two more chances to face Montreal and the Ottawa Senators. Toronto has traditionally opened its season during the first week of October, making September 29 a significant shift.
The expanded schedule came following the 2024-25 season, when the NHL and NHLPA agreed to increase games as part of the league's new collective bargaining agreement. The Maple Leafs-Canadiens game will be the first contest of an opening-night all-Canadian doubleheader broadcast on Sportsnet.
The decision arrives amid significant change for the Leafs organization. The team hired a new general manager and head coach after missing the playoffs for the first time in nearly a decade. The organization also claimed the first overall pick—Gavin McKenna. With these fresh starts, Toronto's stated goal is to return to being a Stanley Cup contender. The NHL will release the full 2026-27 schedule on July 16 at 1 p.m.
The facts
When does Toronto's season opener happen?
The Toronto Maple Leafs open their regular season on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, against the Montreal Canadiens at Scotiabank Arena at 7 p.m.
How many games will each NHL team play?
Each NHL team will play 84 games in the 2026-27 season, an expansion that includes two additional divisional matchups per team.
Why is September 29 significant for the Leafs?
September 29, 2026 marks the earliest regular-season opener in Toronto Maple Leafs franchise history, one week earlier than the team's traditional October opening date.
Who did Toronto draft first overall?
The Toronto Maple Leafs claimed Gavin McKenna with the first overall pick.
