When does 2024 NHL regular season start? Opening game, schedule and venue for all 32 teams

The 2024 NHL regular season begins with an international game in Europe. The Buffalo Sabres will play the New Jersey Devils on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, in Prague, Czechia. This game is part of the NHL Global Series and will take place at the O2 Arena.

Game information for the Opening Game on Friday, Oct. 4

On Friday, Oct. 4, the first game of 2024 NHL regular season will be:

• Buffalo Sabres vs. New Jersey Devils
• Venue: O2 Arena, Prague, Czechia
• Time: TBD

This marks the start of a season where all 32 NHL teams will play 82 games each (41 home and 41 away).

North American season opener on Tuesday, Oct. 8

The 2024 NHL regular season starts in North America on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, with a tripleheader broadcast on ESPN. The Florida Panthers, the 2024 Stanley Cup champions, will raise their championship banner before playing the Boston Bruins. This game will happen at Amerant Bank Arena at 7:00 p.m. ET.

These games will be:

Florida Panthers vs. Boston Bruins

• Venue: Amerant Bank Arena, Sunrise, Florida
• Time: 7:00 p.m. ET

St. Louis Blues vs. Seattle Kraken

• Venue: Climate Pledge Arena, Seattle, Washington
• Time: 4:30 p.m. ET

Chicago Blackhawks vs. Utah Hockey Club

• Venue: TBD, Utah
• Time: 10:00 p.m. ET

List of 2024 NHL regular season opener Games for all 32 Teams

Team A	Team B	Date, Time (in ET)
Blues	Kraken	Tue, Oct 8, 4:40 p.m.
Bruins	Panthers	Tue, Oct 8, 7:00 p.m.
Blackhawks	Utah	Tue, Oct 8, 10 p.m.
Maple Leafs	Canadiens	Wed, Oct 9, 7:00 p.m.
Rangers	Penguins	Wed, Oct 9, 7:30 p.m.
Flames	Canucks	Wed, Oct 9, 10:00 p.m.
Avalanche	Golden Knights	Wed, Oct 9, 10:00 p.m.
Jets	Oilers	Wed, Oct 9, 10:00 p.m.
Red Wings	Penguins	Thu, Oct 10, 7:00 p.m.
Senators	Panthers	Thu, Oct 10, 7:00 p.m.
Kings	Sabres	Thu, Oct 10, 7:00 p.m.
Blue Jackets	Wild	Thu, Oct 10, 8:00 p.m.
Stars	Predators	Thu, Oct 10, 8:00 p.m.
Sharks	Blues	Thu, Oct 10, 10:30 p.m.
Lightning	Hurricanes	Fri, Oct 11, 7:00 p.m.

Some other important Dates for the 2024-25 NHL Season

• Nov. 1-2, 2024: Dallas Stars and Florida Panthers will play two games in Finland.
• Dec. 31, 2024: The Winter Classic will feature the St. Louis Blues vs. Chicago Blackhawks at Wrigley Field.
• Feb. 10-21, 2025: The NHL will pause for the 4 Nations Face-Off, an international tournament.
• March 1, 2025: The Columbus Blue Jackets will play the Detroit Red Wings outdoors at Ohio Stadium.
• April 17, 2025: The regular season ends.