NHL and Players Association Reveal Upcoming Salary Cap Increases for Three Years
The NHL salary cap is set to experience a substantial increase over the next three years.
Currently at $88 million, the salary cap limit is expected to rise to $113.5 million by the end of the 2027-28 season, as announced in a recent agreement between the league and the NHL Players’ Association on Friday.
The salary cap will increase annually by $7.5 million next season, followed by $8.5 million in 2026-27, and $9.5 million in 2027-28.
This marks a significant shift from the period of 2020-24 when the salary cap remained relatively stable, fluctuating between $81.5 million and $83.5 million due to the financial impacts of the COVID pandemic. This season, the cap increased by $4.5 million.
Both the league and the players association have indicated plans to convene for discussions on other elements of the collective-bargaining agreement, which is set to expire in September 2026.
Projected NHL Salary Cap for the Next Three Seasons
The salary caps for the 2026-27 and 2027-28 seasons may see slight adjustments based on revenue performance:
2025-26
- Upper limit: $95.5 million
- Lower limit: $70.6 million
2026-27
- Upper limit: $104 million
- Lower limit: $76.9 million
2027-28
- Upper limit: $113.5 million
- Lower limit: $83.9 million
