EARLY ACCESS & CHEL WEEK 1 – COMEBACK SEASON
7 september 2026
Welcome to Early Access for NHL 27! To kick off the new hockey year, we’re launching the very first CHEL Week, with the theme being “Comeback Season.”
Running from September 7 through September 11, here is your complete roadmap and breakdown of everything dropping during Early Access Week.
BREAKDOWN
DAILY SCHEDULE & CONTENT DROPS
Keep track of all daily releases dropping throughout CHEL Week 1 at 2:00 PM PT on September 7 (with Friday's finale going live at 9:00 AM PT on September 11):
| Day | Release Time | Drop Category | Highlight / Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday - Sept. 7 | 2:00 PM PT | CHEL Week Drop & Vote Launch | Starter Pack granted to all Early Access players, Objectives & HUT Moments live, Community Vote opens. |
| Tuesday - Sept. 8 | 2:00 PM PT | Forward Collection | Collection sets unlock special squad boosts |
| Wednesday - Sept. 9 | 2:00 PM PT | Defensive Collection | Defensive pairing sets & boosts |
| Thursday - Sept. 10 | 2:00 PM PT | Spotlight Player | Spotlight Moments & Sets go live. |
| Friday - Sept. 11 | 9:00 AM PT | Vote Winner Reward | +1 OVR upgrade & the Community Vote winner will be a Featured Event Player |
HOCKEY ULTIMATE TEAM (HUT) CONTENT
1. Starter Pack & Community Vote
Every player who logs in during CHEL Week 1 receives a Free Starter Pack containing CHEL Week player items to jumpstart their progression.
Additionally, players can vote on their favorite CHEL Week player! The winner of the community vote will receive a +1 OVR boost, along with a Featured Event Player, who will be activated on Friday, September 11, at 9:00 AM PT.
2. Spotlight Player
takes center stage as the CHEL Week 1 Spotlight Player!
- Acquisition: All Spotlight Moments unlock on Thursday, September 10, at 2:00 PM PT and will be available for one week. Complete all moments to earn the Spotlight Player, or build him through sets on Day 1.
3. Collection Sets & Lineup Boosts
Building your lineup with CHEL Week player combinations unlocks unique team boosts for your HUT squad.
OBJECTIVES & HUT MOMENTS TRACKS
CHEL Week Objectives Track
Earn untradeable (UT) player items to build your roster and complete your collection sets:
| Objective Challenge | Reward |
|---|---|
| Get 40 Hits with any CHEL Week Player Item | 78 OVR CHEL Week Player Item (UT) |
| Take 45 Shots with any CHEL Week Player Item | 78 OVR CHEL Week Player Item (UT) |
| Score 20 Goals with any CHEL Week Player Item | 78 OVR CHEL Week Player Item (UT) |
| Complete 18 Games with 1+ CHEL Week Player Item | 78 OVR CHEL Week Player Item (UT) |
| Complete All CHEL Week Objectives | 81 OVR CHEL Week Player Choice Pack (UT) |
CHEL Week Player Moments
Put your skill to the test in specialized single-player moments:
| Moment Challenge | Reward |
|---|---|
| Score 1 Power Play Goal in 90 Sec with Elias Pettersson | 78 OVR Player Item (UT) |
| Score 1 Goal in 120 Sec with Kevin Fiala | 78 OVR Player Item (UT) |
| Take 5 Slap Shots in 150 Sec with Dougie Hamilton | 78 OVR Player Item (UT) |
| Score 2 Points in 150 Sec with Thomas Chabot | 78 OVR Player Item (UT) |
WORLD OF CHEL (WOC) INTEGRATION
“Real” NHL Alumni Legend Debut: Mario Lemieux
CHEL Week 1 marks the historic debut of real NHL Alumni Legends playable directly inside World of CHEL!
- Mario Lemieux Flagship Drop: Features a nostalgic '92-era retro "action figure" aesthetic.
- Top-Tier Power: Comes equipped with tailored character loadouts that offer an immediate competitive edge and high-tier ratings out of the gate.
Live Event: Autumn Cup
Hop into World of CHEL during Early Access to compete in the Autumn Cup Live Event, featuring seasonal rewards and cosmetics for your custom avatar.
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