NHL Global Series Finland 2026: Complete Guide
The 2026 NHL Global Series Finland will bring two regular-season NHL games to Helsinki, giving Finnish supporters and international visitors the opportunity to watch elite North American hockey live.
Finland has a long-standing connection with ice hockey, making it a natural destination for the NHL’s international events.
The 2026 edition will feature the Carolina Hurricanes and Seattle Kraken, with both teams bringing Finnish-born players who will have an opportunity to compete in front of supporters in their home country.
Whether you are planning a trip from the UK, following the participating teams or interested in the wider NHL season, this guide covers the event’s format, dates, venue, participating teams and betting considerations.
What Is The NHL Global Series?
The NHL Global Series is an international programme organised by the National Hockey League (NHL), bringing official regular-season games to locations outside North America. It gives international supporters the opportunity to watch NHL teams compete live without travelling to the United States or Canada.
The modern Global Series programme began in 2017, although the NHL has organised regular-season games outside North America since 1997. Previous international fixtures have taken place in countries including Finland, Sweden, Germany and the Czech Republic.
The 2026 Finland edition is particularly significant because it brings the Carolina Hurricanes and Seattle Kraken to Helsinki for two regular-season fixtures. Unlike exhibition matches, both games count towards the NHL regular-season standings, making them important competitive encounters.
When Is The NHL Global Series Finland 2026?
The 2026 NHL Global Series Finland takes place on Thursday 12 November and Saturday 14 November 2026. Both fixtures form part of the 2026-27 NHL regular season.
The first game will have Seattle as the designated home team, while Carolina will be the home team for the second fixture.
The open practices on Friday provide supporters with another opportunity to see both teams on the ice before the second game.
For British visitors, Helsinki is two hours ahead of the UK in November. This means the scheduled face-off times correspond to 5:00 pm on Thursday and 6:00 pm on Saturday in the UK.
Where Is The NHL Global Series Finland 2026?
The 2026 NHL Global Series Finland will take place at Veikkaus Arena in Helsinki, Finland.
Located at Areenankuja 1, 00240 Helsinki, the arena is an established venue for major sporting and entertainment events. Previously known as Hartwall Arena, it has hosted international ice hockey competitions and professional hockey matches.
Veikkaus Arena provides an indoor setting suitable for NHL regular-season games, with facilities designed to accommodate large crowds and international sporting events.
Supporters attending the games should check the arena’s official event information for entry arrangements, transport advice and any restrictions on items brought into the venue.
Who Is Playing In The NHL Global Series Finland 2026?
The Carolina Hurricanes and Seattle Kraken will meet twice in Helsinki, with each club taking the designated home-team role for one fixture.
The Carolina Hurricanes are an established NHL franchise known for their competitive style and strong team structure. Their roster includes Finnish forwards Sebastian Aho and Jesperi Kotkaniemi, giving the team a particularly strong connection to the host country.
The Seattle Kraken entered the NHL as an expansion franchise in the 2021-22 season. Their squad also includes Finnish-born forwards Kaapo Kakko and Eeli Tolvanen, providing local supporters with additional reasons to follow the visiting team.
Who Are Favourites To Win The NHL Global Series Finland 2026?
The 2026 NHL Global Series Finland features two games between the Carolina Hurricanes and Seattle Kraken. Rather than a knockout competition or tournament, these are regular-season NHL fixtures, with each result contributing to the teams’ league standings.
Several factors are worth considering when evaluating the teams:
Recent form: Results from the opening part of the 2026-27 NHL season can provide an indication of each team’s current performance.
Squad strength: Available players, injuries and the depth of each roster can influence a team’s prospects.
Home advantage: Although the games take place in Finland, the designated home-team status changes between the two fixtures.
Finnish players: The presence of four Finnish-born players adds an interesting dimension, particularly given the support they are likely to receive from local fans.
Head-to-head performances: Previous meetings between the Hurricanes and Kraken can provide useful context, although past results do not guarantee future outcomes.
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Bet on the NHL Global Series Finland at Bet442
The NHL Global Series Finland 2026 offers an opportunity for hockey supporters to follow two regular-season fixtures featuring the Carolina Hurricanes and Seattle Kraken.
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