2026–27 WHL season

The 2026–27 WHL season is the 61st season of the Western Hockey League (WHL). The regular season begins on September 18, 2026.

This season will see some rule changes, and schedule changes, and a playoff format change: The league has extended the season by one week. The regular season will end on March 28th, and the playoffs will start on March 31st. For the first time, air travel will be permitted for one set of away games per team, under the following parameters: travel by bus must be longer than 10 hours, and it is permitted for inter-conference travel only. A "no return" 3-on-3 overtime pilot program, where during overtime, players will no longer be able to bring the puck back over the blue line. All 2026 WHL preseason games featured "no return" 3-on-3 overtime, regardless of the scope at the end of regulation, and WHL general managers voted on the implementation of the program for the regular season following the conclusion of the preseason. "No return" overtime was officially instated as a rule for the 2026–27 WHL regular season. With the change of the schedule, the 1st round of the playoffs will now be best out of 5. Coaches may request video reviews of goals scored by opposing teams where the defending team claims that the play should have been stopped due to an offside infraction at the blue line by the attacking team. After all major penalties and match penalties, except for fighting majors, referees must review video of the penalty to either confirm the penalty assessed or downgrade to a lesser penalty. Conference standings

Attendance Regular season + Home team Home games Average attendance Total attendanceSpokane Chiefs 1 9,057 9,057 Saskatoon Blades 1 7,379 7,379 Everett Silvertips 2 6,185 12,370 Portland Winterhawks 1 5,372 5,372 Edmonton Oil Kings2 5,271 10,542 Seattle Thunderbirds 1 5,164 5,164 Medicine Hat Tigers 1 5,078 5,078 Kelowna Rockets 1 5,007 5,007 Victoria Royals 1 4,511 4,511 Kamloops Blazers 1 4,065 4,065 Penticton Vees 1 4,036 4,036 Regina Pats 1 3,931 3,931 Prince George Cougars 2 3,829 7,659 Red Deer Rebels 2 3,667 7,334 Vancouver Giants 2 3,613 7,227 Lethbridge Hurricanes 2 3,544 7,089 Tri-City Americans 2 3,160 6,320 Brandon Wheat Kings 2 3,034 6,068 Prince Albert Raiders 2 2,867 5,735 Calgary Hitmen 2 2,688 5,377 Wenatchee Wild 2 2,639 5,278 Moose Jaw Warriors2 2,500 5,001 Swift Current Broncos 2 2,154 4,308 League363,997143,906

See also List of WHL seasons 2026–27 OHL season 2026–27 QMJHL season 2027 Memorial Cup

References

2026–27 WHL season

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