local
Wild to open 2026-2027 season in Nashville, play a lot of road games front half of schedule
By Darren Wolfson at KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC)
· July 16, 2026
· 1 min read
The Minnesota Wild’s 2026-27 regular season schedule was released Thursday. The Wild opens the season on the road on Thursday, Oct. 1 against the Nashville Predators. The home opener is Saturday, Oct. 3 vs. Boston.
Starting next season, every NHL team will now play 84 games – 42 home contests ...
Key takeaway Starting next season, every NHL team will now play 84 games – 42 home contests and 42 road contests.
Why this matters in The Minneapolis
The Minnesota Wild's 2026-27 schedule release brings a mix of excitement and challenge for local fans. With 20 of their first 30 games on the road, the team will be tested early on, and their ability to perform away from home will be crucial in setting the tone for the season. The lengthy road trips, including a five-game stretch from October 20-27, will also impact local businesses that rely on game-day revenue. On the other hand, the Wild's longest homestand, a seven-game run from December 12-28, will provide a welcome boost to the local economy during the holiday season. As the team navigates this new 84-game schedule, fans in the Twin Cities will be watching closely to see how they adapt to the increased travel demands and extended breaks, including the bye and All-Star break from January 31 to February 10.
About this story
Original reporting by KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) . The Minneapolis surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 16, 2026 ·
Source: KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? The Minnesota Wild’s 2026-27 regular season schedule was released Thursday. The Wild opens the season on the road on Thursday, Oct. 1 against the Nashville Predators. The home opener is Saturday, Oct. 3 vs. Boston.
Starting next season, every NHL team will now play 84 games – 42 home contests ...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 16, 2026 by KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) and curated for The Minneapolis readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Darren Wolfson at KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC). To learn more about how The Minneapolis selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Minneapolis, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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