Chicago Blackhawks to play first overseas games since 2019 in Germany

The NHL team will face off against the Ottawa Senators in a two-game series in Düsseldorf in December 2026.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 5:33pm

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The Chicago Blackhawks have been selected to play a pair of games against the Ottawa Senators in Düsseldorf, Germany, on December 18 and 20, 2026, as part of the NHL Global Series. This will be the Blackhawks' third trip overseas in franchise history, with their last international games coming in 2019 when they opened the season against the Philadelphia Flyers in Prague, Czechia.

Why it matters

The NHL is deepening its commitment to growing the sport in Germany, one of Europe's most dynamic sports markets. The games in Düsseldorf will mark the second and third-ever NHL contests held in Germany, following a 2011 matchup between the Buffalo Sabres and Los Angeles Kings in Berlin.

The details

The Blackhawks will be led by rising star Connor Bedard, who is excited for the opportunity to showcase the team's talent to international fans. Ottawa Senators forward Tim Stützle, a native of Viersen, Germany, believes the NHL's increased presence in the country will help grow the sport at the grassroots level.

  • The Blackhawks will play the Senators on December 18 and 20, 2026.
  • The first NHL game in Germany took place in 2011, when the Buffalo Sabres defeated the Los Angeles Kings 4-2 in Berlin.

The players

Connor Bedard

A rising star forward for the Chicago Blackhawks who will be making his first trip overseas with the team.

Tim Stützle

An Ottawa Senators forward and native of Viersen, Germany, who believes the NHL's increased presence in the country will help grow the sport at the grassroots level.

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What they’re saying

“When we found out, the whole team was pretty fired up. It's a great opportunity for us, spreading (the game) to other parts of the world and showing our skill set and what we do over here.”

— Connor Bedard (Chicago Tribune)

“I think German hockey has been growing a lot, and there are a lot of great players from there. Now that (the NHL) have been committing to playing games there and supporting kids as well, it's huge. Hopefully it gets even more people to play hockey in Germany.”

— Tim Stützle, Ottawa Senators forward (Chicago Tribune)

What’s next

The Blackhawks and Senators will face off in the first of their two-game series in Düsseldorf on December 18, 2026.

The takeaway

The NHL's decision to bring regular-season games to Germany marks a significant step in the league's efforts to grow the sport internationally and capitalize on the rising talent pool of German hockey players in the NHL.