Hurricanes Kick Off 2026-27 Season on Sep. 29 vs. Panthers

It’s official: the NHL released the home-opener schedule for all 32 teams on Wednesday morning (July 15). For the first time, the season will begin in September instead of the usual October start due to an 84-game regular season. The Carolina Hurricanes will kick off the 2026-27 season as the first game of the season. Along with that, they will face a familiar playoff foe.

Raise the Banner in September

Per the NHLPR, the Hurricanes will take on the Florida Panthers on Sep. 29 to officially kick off the first-ever 84-game regular season. On top of that, it will be the first game in an ESPN triple-header that night, with puck drop scheduled for 5 p.m. Eastern.

If that is not enough, it’ll also be their second-ever Stanley Cup banner-raising in franchise history. The two teams are familiar with each other, having squared off in the Eastern Conference Final in 2023 and 2025. During the 2025-26 season, the Hurricanes went 1-1-1 against the Panthers, outscoring them 14-10 over the three games. They averaged 4.67 goals per game, while allowing 3.33.

The Hurricanes will be looking to defend their Stanley Cup title this coming season after winning their second on June 14 against the Vegas Golden Knights. It’s no surprise that the NHL scheduled the two most recent Stanley Cup winners and the usual participants in the Eastern Conference Final.

It’s not lost on anyone that these two teams do not like each other in the slightest. Not only will they start the season on Sep. 29, but they also face each other twice in the preseason. While they won’t feature most of the regulars, it’ll still be tense nonetheless. Don’t be surprised if Tuesday night features fireworks and tempers.

Regardless of how it’ll go, the Hurricanes will be back in regular-season action just 77 days from now. They will embark on an 84-game regular season to return to the playoffs for the ninth time in a row. No matter if it’s the Panthers, the Golden Knights, or any of the other 30 teams, the Hurricanes will enter the season like they always do, prepare for that night’s game, and take care of business.