Nashville Predators On SI

Nashville Predators Announce 2026-27 Preseason Schedule

The Predators will play the defending Stanley Cup champions twice in September's preseason.

Joe Gaither

Apr 16, 2026; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Nashville Predators left wing Filip Forsberg (9) regroups with his team after scoring a goal during the first period of their game against the Anaheim Ducks at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Alan Poizner-Imagn Images
Apr 16, 2026; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Nashville Predators left wing Filip Forsberg (9) regroups with his team after scoring a goal during the first period of their game against the Anaheim Ducks at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Alan Poizner-Imagn Images / Alan Poizner-Imagn Images

The Nashville Predators released their preseason schedule on Thursday to entice the fans and announce the return of hockey on Broadway. The Preds will play two home-and-home series in the preseason, starting on Sept. 20 as Nashville prepares for its 28th season.

The Nashville Predators open the preseason action on the road against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Sept. 20, before welcoming the Lighting back to Bridgestone on Tuesday, Sept. 22. The Predators follow a similar schedule against the defending Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes. Carolina hosts the game on Sept. 24, while Nashville welcomes the champions in the preseason finale on Sept. 26.

The 2026-27 National Hockey League season will reportedly open on Sept. 29 as we await a July schedule release. Today's preseason announcement seems to confirm that report as Nashville's four games in seven days will wrap up on Sept. 26.

Nashville will play two fewer preseason games in 2026-27 after going 3-2-1 last season. The Predators face off against the Lightning in preseason for the 14th consecutive season, while its matchup against the Hurricanes is on for the fourth consecutive year.

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Joe Gaither
JOE GAITHER

Joe Gaither covers the Nashville Predators for Nashville Predators On SI. He also oversees videos and podcasts for Alabama Crimson Tide On SI/BamaCentral. He began his sports media career in radio in 2019, working for three years in Tuscaloosa covering the University of Alabama and other local high school sports. In 2023 he joined BamaCentral to cover a variety of Crimson Tide sports and recruiting, in addition to hosting the “Joe Gaither Show” podcast. His work has also appeared on the Boston College, Miami, Missouri and Vanderbilt college On SI sites.

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