NHL Global Series 2026 Is Finally Here – Hurricanes and Kraken Clash 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 hockey venue – it will be the epicentre of the entire hockey world. The NHL Global Series 2026 is landing in Töölönlahti, 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 since the rumours started swirling during last season's playoffs. A lot of people asked if Helsinki still has what it takes to host an NHL-level event. I can't help but laugh at the question. We've been watching top-tier hockey here since before half the current North American teams were even a gleam in some owner's eye at a bar table. The atmosphere at Nokia Arena is beyond words, and now we're bringing in two hungry teams who are both itching to prove themselves.

Why These Two?

The Carolina Hurricanes are bringing to Helsinki the kind of fast, physical, and smart hockey they've been perfecting for years. They've graced the cover of NHL 23, and for many of us, they're the team we've used to win 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 built a reputation as one of the most feared road teams in the league.

Long-time fans will remember what it was like the last time the NHL came to town. But this time, it's different. It's not just about a regular-season series – it's about us, Finnish hockey fans, showing the world what a true hockey nation looks like. And trust me, it's not the same as playing EA Sports NHL 26 on your Xbox Series X with your mates. This is something else entirely.

• Dreams become reality: Those moves you've perfected in NHL 22 or NHL 23? You'll see them live, just a few metres away.
• The arena is ready: Nokia Arena was built for moments like this. The acoustics, the lighting, 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 fell in love with the sport. Just like those times you played Lego Star Wars: The Force Awakens with your sibling, these are the moments that stick with you forever. Only this time, the battle on the ice is real.

How to Make the Most of It

Getting tickets will be a battle. If you think you can just stroll in, you're living in the past. This is the event people will be talking about for years. I'd recommend going all out for the evening. Before the game, the city's restaurants will be packed with Hurricanes and Kraken fans who've travelled from across the globe. They think they know what to expect from a Finnish crowd. They have no idea.

I'll be getting to the arena nice and early. I want to hear that first puck drop. It's a sound no video game, no matter how realistic, can ever replicate. It's raw, it's real, and it's happening right here in our backyard.

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

So, mark October on your calendar. If you've ever dreamt of watching the NHL live, this is your chance. This is no exhibition tour. The Hurricanes and Kraken are coming here to win, and we'll be there to witness every moment of it.