1The CBA

The NHL Collective Bargaining Agreement

The Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between the NHLPA and the NHL sets out the terms and conditions of employment for all professional hockey players playing in the National Hockey League, as well as the respective rights of the NHL Clubs, the NHL, and the NHLPA.

The current CBA was initially ratified on January 12, 2013 and was amended pursuant to a Memorandum of Understanding ratified on July 10, 2020. The current CBA is in effect through September 15, 2026.

On July 6, 2025, the Players ratified a new CBA, as memorialized in a June 27, 2025 Memorandum of Understanding, which has a term starting on September 16, 2026 and running through September 15, 2030.

2Explore the CBA

Explore the CBA

Explore the current Collective Bargain Agreement between The NHLPA and NHL, effective through 2025-26.

Download 2013 CBADownload 2020 MOUDownload 2025 MOU
3FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

The collective bargaining agreement, commonly called the CBA, is an agreement negotiated between the NHLPA, on behalf of the players, and the NHL, on behalf of the owners. It covers the terms and conditions for players’ employment with NHL clubs.

Although the NHL owners recognized the NHLPA as a union in 1967, the first collective bargaining agreement was not agreed to until 1975.

The NHLPA and the NHL ratified a new CBA on July 26, 2025. That agreement runs through September 15, 2030.

The NHL owners have locked out the players three times (1994-95, 2004-05 & 2012-13). The 1994-95 and 2012-13 lockouts resulted in shortened 48-game regular seasons. In 2004-05, the NHL cancelled the entire season. The players went on a 10-day strike in April 1992.