Powered by new gameplay depth and an even deeper Connected Franchise experience, NHL 27 makes its way back to consoles for another year. Here’s all the information you’ll need ahead of the upcoming release. Let’s talk video games.
NHL 27 Key Facts
Detail
Info
Standard release
Friday, September 11, 2026, 3 p.m. UTC
Early access
September 4, 2026, seven days, Deluxe Edition only
Platforms
PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S
PC or Switch
Neither announced
Editions
Standard and Deluxe
Cover rating headline
Connor McDavid, 99 overall
Series first
McDavid is the first 99 overall in EA Sports NHL history
Standard pre-order
HUT NHL Player Pack, 500 NHL Points, World of Chel 2XP Boost
Deluxe pre-order
Seven days early access, 4,600 NHL Points, Macklin Celebrini World of Chel loadout, HUT Icon Choice Pack, HUT Heroes Choice Pack, HUT NHL Player Pack, Fan Choice Pack, two World of Chel Double XP Tokens
Presentation
New commentary team and overhauled broadcast package
Arenas
Rebuilt with team-specific atmospheres
McDavid is the first 99 overall in the series’ history. EA built a “99 Club” around him to mark it, calling 99 the ceiling of its rating system.
Two dates matter here. Deluxe buyers get on the ice September 4; everyone else waits until September 11.
It also stays a console release. PS5 and Xbox Series X|S only, with no PC or Switch version announced.
McDavid made news as he was awarded the coveted 99-overall rating heading into launch. Some fans cried foul, but others were pleased with the designation. In any case, McDavid’s rating may make the Edmonton Oilers and any team he might be traded to a popular choice in online head-to-head.
The commissioner in Connected Franchise is among the most powerful in any franchise mode. Commissioners have extensive control, including custom roster support, flexible scheduling, and personalized playoff structures. The interface is built to be faster than before with little-to-no loading times between transitions and screens.
More Game Release Coverage
Edition contents below are as published on EA’s official NHL 27 pre-order page.
NHL 27 Editions And Pre-Order Contents
Item
Standard
Deluxe
Release
September 11
September 4, seven days early
NHL Points
500
4,600
World of Chel
2XP Boost
Macklin Celebrini loadout, two Double XP Tokens
HUT NHL Player Pack
Yes
Yes
HUT Icon Choice Pack
No
Yes, six legendary players at 86 OVR
HUT Heroes Choice Pack
No
Yes, 32 players at 84 OVR
Fan Choice Pack
No
Yes
It’s a crowded release period for sports games. NHL 27’s early access bumps up against the release date for NBA 2K27 and is merely weeks ahead of EA FC 27. I’ve long wondered if this is the best release time for the series, but here we are again. Let’s see how well this year’s version performs.
This article was originally published on Forbes.com