NHL Global Series 2026 finally touches down – Hurricanes and Kraken collide at Nokia Arena

The wait is finally over. As the clock ticks into early October, Helsinki's Nokia Arena will be more than just Europe's finest ice hockey venue – it will be the very centre of the hockey universe. 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 had my eye on this series ever since the rumours started swirling during last season’s playoffs. A lot of people asked whether Helsinki could still cut it as an NHL-calibre host. I always laugh at that question. We were watching top-flight ice hockey here when some of today’s North American teams were nothing more than a half-baked idea over a pint. The atmosphere inside Nokia Arena is simply indescribable, and now we’re bringing in two hungry teams, both with a point to prove.

Why these two?

The Carolina Hurricanes are bringing that fast, physical, smart brand of hockey they’ve been perfecting for years. They graced the cover of NHL 23, the team so many of us have used to lift the virtual Stanley Cup from the comfort of our living rooms. And now they’re here, for real. In the opposite corner stand the Seattle Kraken, an expansion team that has already forged a reputation as one of the most intimidating sides to face on the road.

Long-time fans will remember what it was like the last time the NHL came to town. But this time it’s different. This isn’t just a road trip – it’s our chance to show the world 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 mates. This is something else entirely.

• Dreams become reality: The moves you’ve perfected in NHL 22 or NHL 23? You’ll see them live, just metres away.
• The arena is ready: Nokia Arena was built for moments like this. The acoustics, the lights, the atmosphere – this is the NHL’s home in Europe.
• A sense of history: Even though this is about the future, nights like this remind us why we love the game. Much like the days of playing Lego Star Wars: The Force Awakens with your sister, these are the moments that stick with you forever. Except this time, the battle is real, and it’s on the ice.

How to experience it best

Tickets will be a battleground. If you think you can just stroll up on the night, you’re living in the past. This is the kind of event people will still be talking about years from now. My advice? Make a proper night of it. Before puck drop, the city’s restaurants will be packed 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 in full voice. They think they do, but they’re wrong.

I’ll be at the arena nice and early. I want to hear what it sounds like when the puck drops for the first time. It’s a sound no video game can replicate, no matter how realistic it gets. It’s raw, it’s real, and it’s happening right on our doorstep.

If you can’t make it in person, no worries. But this is the moment when all eyes across Finland will turn to our home rink. Nokia Arena will be in the spotlight, and once again we’ll have the chance to prove we’re the absolute number one in Northern Europe when it comes to hosting major hockey events. Not to mention, these two games might just be where the next Finnish NHL star gets their first taste of going up against the league’s biggest names.

So mark October in your calendar. If you’ve ever dreamed of seeing the NHL live, this is your moment. This is no exhibition tour. The Hurricanes and Kraken are coming here to win, and we’ll be there every step of the way.