The Blackhawks have a promotional schedule that should give fans a few extra reasons to circle the calendar for the 2026-27 season, and the biggest draws are easy to spot: bobbleheads, the return of Best Day Ever, and a Centennial Celebration finale that ties the team’s past to its future.
The bobblehead run is the headline item. After bringing back the giveaway last season for the Centennial Celebration and honoring names like Stan Mikita, Chris Chelios, and Duncan Keith, the Blackhawks are shifting the focus to their current core.
Spencer Knight gets the first turn, with his bobblehead in the black jersey set for Sunday, Nov. 29 against the Minnesota Wild. Frank Nazar follows on Saturday, Dec. 12 versus the Utah Mammoth, and his first bobblehead will feature a sliding goal celebration in the white jersey.
Connor Bedard finally joins the club on Saturday, Feb. 20 when the Wild return to Chicago. Alex Vlasic rounds out the series on Sunday, March 14 against the Anaheim Ducks.
Each one is limited to the first 8,000 fans, so early arrival matters.
Best Day Ever is back as well after sitting out last season during the Centennial Celebration. The Sunday afternoon dates are built around young fans and families, and this year’s slate includes Oct. 25 against the Florida Panthers, Dec. 6 against Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers, and Feb. 21 versus the New Jersey Devils.
Then there’s the most symbolic date on the schedule: Tuesday, Nov. 17 against the Toronto Maple Leafs. That game closes out the Centennial Celebration and lands on the 100th anniversary of the Blackhawks’ first game, a 4-1 win over Toronto on Nov.
17, 1926. That original game was played at the old Chicago Coliseum, and it came against Toronto’s first game as the Maple Leafs after the franchise had previously been known as the St.
Patricks. Special uniforms would not be a surprise.
The night also brings a look at what’s next, since it will be Gavin McKenna’s first game at the United Center. The hope is that Bedard is back from his shoulder injury by then, setting up a first-overall-pick matchup.
The rest of the promotional slate is packed too, with the Magnet Schedule on Tuesday, Oct. 6 against the St. Louis Blues, Friday Night Hockey on Oct. 23 against Montreal, Nov. 27 against the Rangers, Jan. 1 against Boston, Jan. 22 against Vancouver, Feb. 26 against Los Angeles, and March 26 against Nashville.
Other giveaways and theme nights include a Stadium Ornament on Nov. 14 against Winnipeg, Military Appreciation Night on Nov. 12 against Buffalo, Native American Heritage Night on Nov. 19 against Columbus, Black Friday on Nov. 27, a Duffle Bag on Jan. 24 against Vegas, Hockey Fights Cancer Night on Feb. 17 against St. Louis, a Green Hat Giveaway on March 10 against Washington, Pride Night on March 16 against San Jose, and Fan Appreciation on April 10 against Seattle.
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Blackhawks Depth Is Creating A Tough First Test For Young Forwards
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That reality makes the next step for several promising forwards especially important, with the club weighing development against the need for immediate depth. Sacha Boisvert, AJ Spellacy and Marek Vanacker all fit into that conversation, and their backgrounds and recent performances suggest the Blackhawks see upside there even if the path to Chicago is not yet open. The challenge now is less about talent than timing, and for at least some of these young players, patience may be part of the plan. [Read more 🡒]