Florida Panthers Unveil Four‑Game Preseason Schedule Starting Sept. 20

Florida Panthers kick off their 2026‑27 preseason on Sept. 20 at Amerant Bank Arena, opening against Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes. The club will play only four exhibition games, all televised for free on Scripps Sports and streamed on PanthersPlus.TV, giving fans early looks at new roster pieces.

Who are the Panthers facing in the preseason?

The first matchup pits Florida against the Hurricanes on home ice, a rare preseason duel with the defending champs. Two days later the Panthers travel to Raleigh for a second test against Carolina. The final two games feature a home‑and‑home series with the Tampa Bay Lightning, with the Lightning hosting on Sept. 24 and the Panthers returning to Sunrise on Sept. 26. No Orlando venue appears this year, a cutback from last season’s seven‑game slate.

When and where will each game be played?

The schedule is compact: Sept. 20 at Amerant Bank Arena, Sunrise; Sept. 22 at PNC Arena, Raleigh; Sept. 24 at Amalie Arena, Tampa; and Sept. 26 back at Amerant Bank Arena. All four contests will be broadcast live on the free‑to‑air Scripps Sports network and streamed without charge on PanthersPlus.TV after a quick registration. This accessibility lets casual fans and die‑hard supporters alike catch every puck drop.

Why is the shortened preseason significant?

Cutting the preseason to four games reflects a league‑wide effort to reduce travel and give players more rest before the regular season. Florida played seven exhibitions last year, so the reduction eases wear on the roster and lets coaches focus on evaluating talent in a tighter window. The move also eliminates the previously scheduled Panthers‑Lightning game in Orlando, freeing up resources for the club’s development camps.

What does the upcoming schedule mean for the Panthers' outlook?

With the preseason set, the Panthers can shift attention to their offseason milestones. The NHL Draft in Buffalo, free‑agency opening on July 1, and development camps in Fort Lauderdale all lead into training camp later in September. As of July 7, 2026, the Panthers sit 14th in the Eastern Conference with a 40‑38 record and a three‑game winning streak, a position that underscores the urgency of fine‑tuning chemistry before the regular season begins.

How can fans watch the games?

Fans need only a web browser and a valid email to register on PanthersPlus.TV. Once logged in, the stream launches automatically at tip‑off. For cord‑cutters, the Scripps Sports app on mobile devices offers the same live feed, ensuring no one misses a single shift, slapshot, or power‑play opportunity during the four‑game preview.