NHL Global Series 2026 Is Finally Here – Hurricanes and Kraken Face Off at Nokia Arena

The wait is finally over. When the clock strikes early October, Helsinki's Nokia Arena won't just be Europe's finest ice rink – it will be the epicentre of the hockey world. The NHL Global Series 2026 is landing on the shores of Töölönlahti Bay, and it's bringing two teams ready to tear up the ice: the Carolina Hurricanes and the Seattle Kraken.

I've been following this series ever since the rumours started swirling during last season's playoffs. A lot of people asked if Helsinki still had what it takes to host an NHL-calibre event. I always laugh at that question. This city was passionate about hockey when many current North American teams were just a glimmer in someone's eye over a beer. The atmosphere at Nokia Arena is something you have to feel to believe, and now it's hosting two hungry teams, both with something to prove.

Why These Two?

The Carolina Hurricanes are bringing the kind of fast, physical, and smart hockey they've been perfecting for years to Helsinki. They graced the cover of NHL 23, and for many of us, they're the team we've led to a virtual Stanley Cup from our living rooms. And now they're here, for real. In the opposite corner stands the Seattle Kraken, an expansion team that has already forged a reputation as one of the league's most feared teams to face on the road.

Long-time fans remember what it was like the last time the NHL came to town. But this time, it's different. It's not just a series of regular-season games overseas – it's a chance for us Finns to show what a true hockey nation looks like. And trust me, it's not the same as playing EA Sports NHL 26 Xbox Series X with your buddies. It's something so much bigger.

• Dreams Meet Reality: The moves you've perfected in NHL 22 or NHL 23, you'll now see live, just a few metres away.
• The Arena is Ready: Nokia Arena was built for moments like this. The acoustics, the lights, the vibe – this is the NHL's home rink in Europe.
• A Touch of History: Even as we look to the future, nights like these remind us why we love this sport. Just like those times you'd play Lego Star Wars: The Force Awakens with your sibling, these are moments that stick with you forever. Except this one is the real battle on the ice.

How to Experience It Best

Getting tickets will be a battle. If you think you can just walk up to the door, you're living in the past. This is the kind of event people will be talking about for years. My advice is to go all in. Before the puck drops, the city's restaurants will be filled with Hurricanes and Kraken fans who've travelled from the other side of the world. They have no idea what it's like to face a Finnish hockey crowd at full throttle. They think they know, but they're wrong.

I'll be in the arena early. I want to hear that sound when the puck drops for the first time. It's a sound no video game, no matter how realistic, can replicate. It's raw, it's authentic, and it's happening right in our backyard.

If you can't make it in person, no worries. But this is the moment when eyes across Finland will be glued to our home rink. Nokia Arena's name will shine, and once again, we'll have a chance to prove we're the undisputed number one in Northern Europe for hosting major hockey events. Not to mention, these two games might just be the stage where Finland's next NHL star gets their first taste of playing against the league's biggest names.

So, grab your calendar and circle October. If you've ever dreamed of seeing the NHL live, this is it. This is no exhibition tour. The Hurricanes and the Kraken are coming here to win, and we'll be there for every second of it.