Edmonton Oilers game times will be affected by Alberta's daylight saving switch
Edmonton Oilers fans better be prepared to stay up really late if they hope to watch every game next season.
Alberta’s government has made the decision to stay on permanent daylight saving time, choosing to do so less than two months after B.C. did the same.
This was a decision that was discussed among Albertans for many years. Many are thrilled to hear the news, though at least some may change their opinion after learning what it will mean for Oilers games moving forward.
Roughly 60 to 70 per cent of the NHLâs regular season is played when most of the continent is operating in standard time. In the 2026-27 season, it will span from Nov. 1, 2026, to Mar. 14, 2027, which is when Oilers fans will notice a difference.
Trips out to California during that timeframe will see games start at 9 or 9:30 p.m MDT, rather than the usual 8 or 8:30 p.m. start times that fans already complain about. There’s a good chance that these games won’t wrap up until midnight, if not later.
Meanwhile, games out east will be different as well. For example, a weekday game out east has often been a 5 or 5:30 p.m. start time. Those games will now instead begin at 6 or 6:30 p.m.
And, last but certainly not least, this permanent change to daylight saving time will also affect some games at Rogers Place.
Broadcasts on the second half of a doubleheader on nights such as Hockey Night in Canada on Saturdays could once again see games start as late as 9 p.m., or, subsequently, as early as 5 p.m., unless changes are made by the NHL.
It is worth noting that Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has said that her party is going to monitor how residents respond to this change over the first year. If there is a large portion who don’t like the permanent change, she says the government could put the decision to a vote in 2027.
Either way, Oilers fans should prepare for some start times to look different in the 2026-27 season, and perhaps beyond.
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