Hockey Tickets FAQ: Answers on Buying, Dates and Travel

This hockey tickets FAQ answers the questions fans ask most often: how and when to buy, how to stay safe, what is confirmed for 2026-27, and how to plan a trip to an NHL game or a European match. Answers are grouped by theme, and anything not announced yet is clearly marked as such.

Hockey tickets FAQ: buying basics

The simplest hockey tickets are the ones you buy from the source. Here are the answers to the most common starting questions.

How do I buy hockey tickets for an NHL game?

Go to the official box office of the team that hosts the game. Create an account in advance, check the seat map and the delivery method, and keep a payment card ready. Regular-season tickets are generally released before the season, but the exact timing is set by each team and we only publish dates once they are confirmed.

How do I buy hockey tickets for a European league game?

Most European clubs sell through their own official box office or a ticketing partner named on the club website. For many league games, tickets stay available until close to the date, while derbies and playoff games sell faster. Our league guides tell you what is confirmed about each competition.

Are hockey tickets available for the 2026-27 season already?

Yes for many games, because the NHL 2026-27 schedule is published. The regular season runs from 29 September 2026 to 10 April 2027 with 84 games per team. Playoff dates are not announced yet, and for 2027-28 nothing has been announced.

Hockey tickets FAQ: dates and key events

Dates are where most planning errors happen, so this section sticks to facts that are confirmed.

What are the key dates for hockey tickets in 2026-27?

  • Heritage Classic: 25 October 2026, Winnipeg against Montréal, Princess Auto Stadium.
  • Helsinki Global Series: 12 and 14 November 2026, Seattle and Carolina, Veikkaus Arena.
  • Düsseldorf Global Series: 18 and 20 December 2026, Ottawa and Chicago, PSD Bank Dome.
  • Winter Classic: 31 December 2026, Utah against Colorado, Rice-Eccles Stadium.
  • Stadium Series: 20 February 2027, Dallas against Vegas, AT&T Stadium.
  • All-Star break: 4 to 7 February 2027, with the event at UBS Arena in Elmont.

What about hockey tickets for the Worlds and World Juniors?

The IIHF World Championship 2027 runs from 13 to 30 May 2027 in Germany, in Düsseldorf and Mannheim, with the opening game at Veltins-Arena in Gelsenkirchen. The World Juniors take place in Edmonton and Red Deer from 26 December 2026 to 5 January 2027. The 2028 Worlds move to Paris and Lyon, from 12 to 28 May 2028.

When will hockey tickets for the playoffs be available?

Not announced yet. Playoffs start in mid-April 2027 and the Stanley Cup Final is expected in June 2027, with exact dates unconfirmed. Our email alert will tell you when more is known.

Hockey tickets FAQ: safe buying and resale

Hockey fans sometimes buy on the secondary market when a game is sold out. A few habits keep that safe.

Is it safe to buy hockey tickets on a resale marketplace?

It can be if you check the details. Compare the seat location with the arena map, make sure the delivery method is clear, and read the buyer protection terms. Never pay outside the platform and never trust a seller who pressures you to move to private messages.

How do I recognise fake hockey tickets or scams?

Watch for prices that look too good to be true, unclear seat details, screenshots instead of official transfers, and sellers who want bank transfers. Tickets in many arenas are digital and tied to an account, so a photo or a PDF is often not enough.

Can I get a refund on hockey tickets?

Refund rules depend on the seller. Official box offices have their own policies, and resale marketplaces have theirs. Read the terms before you pay, especially for outdoor games, where weather can affect the schedule.

Hockey tickets FAQ: travelling from Europe

A hockey trip is easier than many people expect. These answers cover the usual concerns.

Where can I see NHL games without leaving Europe?

The NHL Global Series visits Helsinki and Düsseldorf in 2026. Seattle and Carolina play at Veikkaus Arena on 12 and 14 November 2026, and Ottawa and Chicago play at PSD Bank Dome on 18 and 20 December 2026.

What is the time difference for watching hockey from Europe?

Eastern time is normally six hours behind Central Europe, Central time seven and Pacific time nine. A 7 p.m. Eastern game starts at about 1 a.m. in central Europe. For travellers, evening games in North America are easy on jet lag.

Do I need a visa to attend hockey games abroad?

Entry rules depend on your nationality and the country. Canada and the United States both have entry requirements, and some travellers need an electronic authorisation. Check official government travel pages well before you book. We cannot give personal advice.

Hockey tickets FAQ: what is not announced yet

The most useful answer is sometimes: not yet. These points are open today.

Is the NHL 2027-28 schedule out?

No. Nothing is announced for 2027-28, including the schedule, Winter Classic, All-Star and Global Series. The league usually publishes the schedule in the summer. The World Cup of Hockey is planned for February 2028 in Calgary, Edmonton and Prague, and Calgary is expected to open Scotia Place around that time.

How can I be told when new hockey tickets go on sale?

Use our email alert. Leave your address on any page of the site and we will write when dates, on-sales or schedule changes are confirmed. We only send short, useful messages.

Hockey tickets FAQ: checks before you pay

Before you confirm an order, run through this short list. It avoids most unpleasant surprises.

What should I check before buying hockey tickets?

  • Confirm the date, time and venue of the game on the official box office.
  • Check the number of tickets, the section and, if possible, the arena map.
  • Read the delivery and transfer conditions.
  • Look at the refund and cancellation policy in case of postponement.
  • Keep a copy of the order confirmation.

How do I choose seats for hockey tickets?

Lower-bowl seats near the ice give speed and noise, while upper seats behind the goal give an overview of the play. For a first game, a mid-level section along the side near the blue line is a great compromise between view and atmosphere.

How many hockey tickets should a group buy together?

Buy all tickets for a group in a single order whenever possible, so you sit together. If the box office requires one account per person, plan the transfer in advance.

FAQ · Hockey Tickets FAQ: Answers on Buying, Dates and Travel

Where is the best place to buy hockey tickets?

Start with the official box office of the team or event, because prices, seat maps and delivery methods are clearly stated there. If a game is sold out, resale marketplaces can help, but compare seat details and buyer protection first. Our email alert tells you when on-sales are confirmed.

When do hockey tickets go on sale?

It depends on the team and the event. Regular-season tickets are generally available before the season, while outdoor games, international games and tournaments follow their own timetables. We do not publish an on-sale date until it is confirmed, and our alert will notify you when it is.

Are hockey tickets for the 2027-28 season on sale?

No. Nothing has been announced for 2027-28, including the schedule, so there are no confirmed games to buy yet. Be careful with offers claiming to sell these tickets today. Our email alert will tell you when the real schedule and sales are published.

Can I buy hockey tickets from Europe for NHL games?

Yes. Use the official box office of the team, create an account early and keep a payment card ready. Remember the time difference, because sales can open during the North American morning. The Global Series games in Helsinki and Düsseldorf are also a way to see NHL hockey in Europe.

Which hockey tickets sell out the fastest?

Outdoor games, Global Series games, finals and derbies sell out the quickest, while ordinary league nights on weekdays are generally easier to book. If you want one of the big events, plan early and sign up for the alert so you do not miss the opening of sales.

Is it safe to use resale sites for hockey tickets?

It can be, with care. Check the seat location, the delivery method and the buyer protection terms, and never pay outside the platform. Avoid sellers who send only screenshots. Tickets for sold-out games can cost more than their original value, so compare options before you decide.

How do I get alerts for hockey tickets and schedule changes?

Leave your email address in the alert box on any page. We will write to you when dates, ticket on-sales or schedule changes are confirmed for the events you follow. Messages are short, there is no spam, and you can unsubscribe whenever you like.