Bruins and Oilers Slated for Four Regular-Season Contests Across Germany in 2027-28

The NHL confirms the Boston Bruins will play twice in Munich while the Edmonton Oilers head to Cologne for two regular-season matchups during the 2027-28 campaign.

On Thursday, August 20, 2026, the National Hockey League officially announced that the Boston Bruins and Edmonton Oilers will participate in four regular-season games in Germany during the 2027-28 campaign. The Bruins are scheduled to compete in two fixtures hosted in Munich, while the Oilers will travel to Cologne for their two-game stint. This announcement marks a significant escalation in the league's international schedule, doubling the number of German cities involved in a single season's Global Series initiative compared to previous years.

Key details

Leon Draisaitl, the Edmonton forward and former Hart Trophy winner, will return to his native city of Cologne for these specific matchups. While the league has confirmed the participation of these two franchises, the opposing teams for the four contests remain unannounced. The 2027-28 schedule follows a broader commitment by the NHL and the NHLPA to stage regular-season events in Germany for at least three consecutive seasons, ensuring a stable presence in the European market through the late 2020s.

Historical data shows that the NHL’s footprint in Germany began in 2011 when the Buffalo Sabres faced the Los Angeles Kings in Berlin. That single game stood as the only regular-season contest in the country for over a decade. The momentum shifts this coming December when the Chicago Blackhawks and Ottawa Senators arrive in Düsseldorf for two games, which will serve as the second and third regular-season appearances in the nation’s history. The 2027-28 plan effectively triples the total number of German cities that have hosted NHL regular-season points.

Latest developments

Bill Daly, the NHL Deputy Commissioner, emphasized that Munich and Cologne were selected due to their status as dynamic hockey hubs. The league aims to utilize these specific urban centers to deepen ties with local partners and fan bases that have shown consistent growth. By scheduling games in Munich, the Bruins will tap into a southern German market, while the Oilers’ presence in the west leverages the high-density population surrounding Cologne. These four games represent the largest single-season investment the league has ever made in German territory.

Logistical details, including puck drop times and specific arena venues, are expected to be finalized once the full 2027-28 league calendar is drafted. The NHLPA has voiced support for this expansion, noting that players often advocate for opportunities to showcase the sport in their home countries. For Draisaitl, the Cologne games will be the first time he has played a meaningful NHL regular-season minute in his hometown, a milestone that the league expects will drive record ticket demand and local television viewership.

This strategic expansion is part of a multi-year roadmap designed to move beyond one-off exhibition games. Unlike the NHL Global Series Challenge, which often features preseason exhibitions against local DEL teams, these four fixtures will carry full weight in the standings. The Bruins and Oilers will each be fighting for four critical points on international ice, adding a layer of competitive intensity to the cultural exchange. As the league prepares for the Düsseldorf games this December, the 2027-28 Munich and Cologne series stands as the next major pillar in the NHL’s European growth strategy.