The Los Angeles Kings have unveiled their 2026-27 preseason schedule, a four-game exhibition slate highlighted by the return of the annual “Empire Classic” at Toyota Arena in Ontario, Calif., on Saturday, Sept. 19 against the Vegas Golden Knights.

The condensed schedule continues a division-heavy theme for Los Angeles, with matchups against familiar Pacific Division opponents and a pair of in-state meetings with the Anaheim Ducks, along with a home date against Utah.

Tickets for the Empire Classic will be available via axs.com and ontarioreign.com. Fans looking to attend the Sept. 23 and Sept. 26 home exhibition games at Crypto.com Arena are encouraged to explore Season Ticket Membership options through lakings.com/memberships, while full preseason ticket details are available at lakings.com/preseason.

The schedule arrives amid a broader league-wide restructuring of the exhibition calendar. The NHL has trimmed the preseason from six games per team to four as part of a wider scheduling overhaul connected to the league’s move toward an 84-game regular season.

League officials have framed the change as a way to reduce injury risk in exhibition play while shifting emphasis toward meaningful regular-season games. The adjustment was agreed upon by the league and NHLPA under the current collective bargaining agreement, which runs through the 2029-30 season, following growing concern over high-profile injuries sustained during preseason action in recent years.

For fans who're already craving to end that hockey itch, help is on the way, but it'll arrive in September.