The Florida Panthers are back-to-back Stanley Cup champions, and now Matthew Tkachuk, Aleksander Barkov, and the Cats will attempt to do the unthinkable: make it three in a row. While Tkachuck is out until likely December, and Barkov will miss much of the season, the season will still begin. The Panthers’ 2025-26 schedule is loaded with marquee matchups, spotlight dates, and a Winter Classic unlike any the league has ever staged.
Banner night in Sunrise
Florida opens the season at Amerant Bank Arena on Oct. 7 against the Chicago Blackhawks, where the Cats will raise their second straight championship banner. The opening homestand continues with games against the Flyers (Oct. 9) and Senators (Oct. 11) before the team hits the road for a five-game stretch through Philadelphia, Detroit, New Jersey, Buffalo, and Boston.
Winter Classic in Miami
The highlight of the year comes on Jan. 2, 2026, when the Panthers host the New York Rangers at loanDepot park in Miami for the Discover NHL Winter Classic. It’s the southernmost outdoor game in league history and a fitting stage for the two-time champs. Expect Tkachuk to be at the center of the spectacle, both literally and figuratively.
Stanley Cup Final rematch
On Nov. 22, the Panthers face the Edmonton Oilers in Sunrise for the first time since defeating them in the 2025 Stanley Cup Final. Florida then heads to Rogers Place for the rematch in Edmonton on Mar. 19. Both games will be circled by fans and players alike.
Holiday hockey in South Florida
The Panthers will keep fans entertained through the holidays with a four-game homestand starting Dec. 27 against Tampa Bay. That stretch also features visits from Washington, Montreal, and leads into the Winter Classic. Florida will also host special matinees, including a Black Friday tilt with Calgary on Nov. 28 and a Jan. 31 game against Winnipeg.
Heavy travel months
Florida’s longest road trip runs from Jan. 6–17, when the Panthers play six games in 12 days across Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, Buffalo, Carolina, and Washington. January and March will be the busiest months away from home, with each featuring 10 road games. In total, the Panthers have seven trips of at least four games.
Homestands by the ‘Glades
The Cats’ longest stay at home comes from Nov. 26 to Dec. 7, a six-game homestand featuring the Flyers, Flames, Maple Leafs, Predators, Blue Jackets, and Islanders. December is also the busiest month at Amerant Bank Arena, with 10 of 15 games in Sunrise.
Olympic pause and back-to-backs
Like the rest of the league, the Panthers will pause for the 2026 Winter Olympics (Feb. 6–22). Four Panthers are already confirmed to represent their countries: Barkov (Finland), Uvis Balinskis (Latvia), Sam Reinhart (Canada), and Tkachuk (USA).
The Panthers will also face 13 back-to-back sets, with eight of them entirely on the road. Depth scoring and strong goaltending from Sergei Bobrovsky and Spencer Knight will be crucial in surviving those stretches.
The road to a dynasty
The Panthers’ 2025-26 schedule is built for drama: a banner-raising opener, a historic Winter Classic, and the chance to defend their crown against every contender in the league. For Tkachuk and Barkov, it’s about more than another big season; it’s about cementing Florida as a modern NHL dynasty. But first, they have to come back from major injuries and lots of hockey.
