NHL 27 Game Modes
The four pillars of the series and the NHL 27 game modes expected to return — with what each one is, its sub-modes, and what changed most recently.
The NHL 27 game modes are not yet detailed by EA — the game is revealed on July 16, 2026 — but the series ships the same four pillars every year, so all four are expected to return. Each mode below is confirmed for NHL 26, the immediately prior title, and the pages explain how it plays and what carried forward.
For newcomers, the four split cleanly by what you want out of a session: build a squad and compete with player cards in Ultimate Team, run a club across seasons as a general manager in Franchise, live a single voice-acted career in Be A Pro, or play fast, small-sided online hockey in World of Chel. Pick by the experience you are after rather than by which sounds biggest — the ratings and on-ice systems underneath are shared across all of them, so time spent learning one carries into the rest. Open any card below for what that mode included in NHL 26 and what is expected to return.
HUT Hockey Ultimate Team Card-collecting team-builder: assemble a fantasy roster from player and ability cards, then compete in online and offline events for packs and rewards. Open HUT guide → 
Franchise Franchise Mode Long-term GM and dynasty mode: run a team or a custom/expansion league across many seasons — trades, drafts, contracts, scouting and staff. Open Franchise guide → 
Be A Pro Be A Pro Single-player RPG-style career: follow one player from prospect to NHL star, with narrative choices that shape the story. Open Be A Pro guide → 
CHEL World of Chel Online hub built around a created virtual pro: play a suite of casual and competitive online modes solo or with friends against clubs worldwide. Open CHEL guide →