The Chicago Blackhawks will be on the road to start their 2025-26 season, opening the campaign against the reigning Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers.
According to the NHL, the Blackhawks will open their season against the Panthers on Tuesday, Oct. 7. The puck drop for the game is set for 4 p.m. Central time, and will be part of a triple-header of action on ESPN.
Florida’s Stanley Cup celebration will take place that night, complete with banner raising and more ceremonies, according to the league.
In 2022, the Blackhawks played against the Colorado Avalanche for their banner raising ceremony in Denver, and lost 5-2 against the reigning champs.
The New York Rangers will host the Pittsburgh Penguins, and the Avalanche will visit the Los Angeles Kings to round out the tripleheader on ESPN, according to the league.
A full 2025-26 schedule release is set for Wednesday night.
Notably, the Blackhawks will be celebrating their 100th anniversary season during the campaign. They’ve already unveiled special home jerseys, and a wide variety of tributes are planned throughout the season, with a full schedule set to be announced shortly after the league releases their schedule.
Preseason action will open for the Blackhawks on Sept. 23 with a road game against the Detroit Red Wings. The Red Wings will come to Chicago for the Blackhawks’ first preseason home game on Sept. 30, with the Minnesota Wild (Oct. 3) and the St. Louis Blues (Oct. 4) also coming to the United Center.