Fall is coming, and with it the return of a favourite ritual for many Quebecers: hockey. The Montreal Canadiens — the Tricolore, the CH, the Habs — are starting a new season, and it's the perfect moment for a newcomer to dive into winter's most universal conversation.
The kickoff. The 2026-27 National Hockey League (NHL) season begins on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, and the Canadiens open on the road in Toronto against their great rivals, the Maple Leafs. The first home game at the Bell Centre is set for Tuesday, October 6, against the Carolina Hurricanes. A notable change this year: the NHL moves to an expanded 84-game schedule, a first since the early 1990s. The full schedule is posted on the Canadiens' site.
Tickets. Tickets are sold through the official Canadiens box office. Prices vary widely from game to game: a Tuesday night against a modest team costs far less than a Saturday against Toronto or Boston. For an affordable first game, aim for upper sections on a weeknight and watch the official resale as the date nears.
Watching without a ticket. You don't need to go to the Bell Centre to experience a game. Matches are broadcast on TV, and much of the city follows them in sports bars and neighbourhood pubs. It's often free to enter, welcoming, and one of the easiest ways to socialize on a weeknight.
Good to know for newcomers. You don't need to understand offside to take part. Learn two or three players' names, wear blue-white-red on game night, and you'll have plenty to talk about with coworkers or neighbours. A new season is a blank page: everyone starts from zero, including you.
