The Columbus Blue Jackets begin preparations for their 26th National Hockey League season with the opening of training camp, presented by OhioHealth. Players report for physicals at the OhioHealth McConnell Spine, Sport and Joint Center and headshots at Nationwide Arena beginning at 7 a.m. on Wednesday.
Columbus will conduct its first team on-ice practices on Thursday, September 17 at Nationwide Arena. All practice sessions at Nationwide Arena from Thursday, September 17 through Sunday, September 20 are open to the public. The club will hold its annual Open Practice, presented by OhioHealth on Saturday, September 19, with the first 1,000 fans through the doors receiving a commemorative Training Camp T-shirt, courtesy of OhioHealth. Coffee and donuts will also be available for free in the morning, while supplies last, courtesy of Tim Hortons.
Starting Monday, September 21, only practices held in the OhioHealth Ice Haus (see full schedule below) will be open to the public. For the practices held at Nationwide Arena, fans can enter at Front Street.
The full training camp roster and practice groups will be announced once finalized. The Blue Jackets open their four-game preseason schedule on Monday, September 21 when the club hosts the Detroit Red Wings at Nationwide Arena. The teamplays its four-contest slate over six days from September 21-26. Columbus opens the 2026-27 regular season with a 7 p.m. ET matchup against the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday, October 1 at Nationwide Arena.
Media Availability – Practices: Members of the hockey operations staff and Head Coach Rick Bowness will be available following the final practice session each day. All players will be available following their final scheduled practice of the day. The club will hold media availability in the press conference room during training camp. … Preseason Games: The team’sdressing room will be open to the media five minutes after the game’s conclusion. Bowness will meet with the media in the press conference room approximately 20 minutes after each contest.
Media Information/Press Box at BlueJackets.com – Media covering training camp practices can park in the parking garage located on the north side of Nationwide Arena (bring garage ticket for validation). For daily updates including press releases, game notes, complete pre- and post-game coverage and more, visit the Press Box page at BlueJackets.com, the club’s official website bluejackets.com/pressbox and follow the communications X account at x.com/BlueJacketsPR.
Season Credentials – Media receiving Blue Jackets credentials for the 2026-27 season will be available for pickup at the team’s media day luncheon on Wednesday, September 16. The credentials will also be available during home preseason and regular season games and can be collected at the Box Office Entrance, located on the south side of the arena near Tim Hortons and John H. McConnell Drive. The Media Entrance will be open two and a half hours prior to game time.
COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS 2026 TRAINING CAMP SCHEDULE (dates/times/location subject to change)
All Times Eastern
Wednesday, September 16
7 a.m.Medicals/Headshots, McConnell/NWA
Thursday, September 17
9-9:45 a.m./10-10:45 a.m.Group 1 Practice (NWA)
12-12:45 p.m./1-1:45 p.m.Group 2 Practice (NWA)
Friday, September 18
9-9:45 a.m./10-10:45 a.m.Group 2 Practice (NWA)
12-12:45 p.m./1-1:45 p.m.Group 1 Practice (NWA)
Saturday, September 19
9-9:45 a.m./10-10:45 a.m.Group 1 Practice (NWA)
12-12:45 p.m./1-1:45 p.m.Group 2 Practice (NWA)
Sunday, September 20
9-9:45 a.m.Group 2 Practice (NWA)
10-10:45 a.m.Group 1 & 2 Scrimmage (NWA)
11 a.m.-12:00 p.m.Group 1 Practice (NWA)
Monday, September 21
10:30-11:30 a.m.Game Group Pre-Game Skate (NWA)
7 p.m. vs. DETROIT, NATIONWIDE ARENA
No Practice for Non-Game Group
Tuesday, September 22
10:30-11:30 a.m.Game Group Pre-Game Skate (IH)
12:30-1:30 p.m.Non-Game Group (IH)
7 p.m. at Buffalo, KeyBank Center
No Practice for Detroit Game Roster
Wednesday, September 23
11-11:45 a.m./12-12:45 p.m.Group 1 Practice (NWA)
2-3 p.m.Group 2 Practice (NWA)
Thursday, September 24
10:30-11:30 a.m.Game Group Pre-Game Skate (NWA)
12:30-1:15 p.m./1:30-2:15 p.m.Non-Game Group Practice (NWA)
7 p.m. vs. Pittsburgh, Nationwide Arena
Friday, September 25
11 a.m.-12 p.m.Team Practice (NWA)
Saturday, September 26
10:30-11:30 a.m.Team Pre-Game Skate (NWA)
7 p.m. at Detroit, Little Caesars Arena
Sunday, September 27
No Practice/Workouts Scheduled
Monday, September 28
10:30-11:30 a.m.Team Practice (NWA)
