Hi guys,normally never playing CHEL. My last time was like 2022 or something.Now living in India, so my region is Asia-Pacific. While I connect to some games in HUT, I was not able to find any matchmaking today for CHEL mode at all (doesnt matter if 3v3, ones, threes, whatever).Is NHL26 matchmaking region restricted? Or is it just because there is barely anyone playing NHL26 at the moment and it could be better in a week when the normal version is published?Cheers!

I am facing the same problem, getting 260+ ping in what seems to be EU servers. In 25 I used to get around 150.I think matchmaking routing is not optimised

The low population was already a thing in previous NHL versions. But still managed to get my games. But NHL 26 doesnt even connect me anymore to any game. I had two games on the first Saturday a week ago during early access. After that nothing anymore. And if I see that people in North America can connect easily to games, I feel that there is some region restrictions maybesaying this: I finally had my 3rd game in 8 days :D

It’s not restricted. I assume you had the matchmaking setting for region set to “relaxed” though? It could be a time of day issue for you however, as you’re 9 hours ahead of North American EST (largest player base). Did you try Quickplay 3v3?

Yeah region is a matchmaking setting, but if you’re only playing live events you don't get that option anyway and it’s supposed to be relaxed. Try playing quickplay 3v3. More players searching than the live events.

Not at all. I got 2 games in ranked in 7 days and apart nothing. In NHL25 I had some games at least, mostly against European players (mostly Finnish). Its a bit frustrating because in other games I never have problems to get a match

NHL26 matchmaking region restricted?

13 Replies

JustAGamerOwO
Seasoned Vanguard
4 days ago
It's definitely restricted. I couldn't find match in WoC when there was no one online in EU, It never matched me to NA servers. There's either invisible ping limit or it's blocked.
EA_Aljo
Community Manager
4 days ago
What region are you located in?
EA_Aljo
Community Manager
4 days ago
I'm currently looking into this. thanks!
stevivor
New Novice
5 days ago
EA_Aljo any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. :)
Anand2209
Seasoned Newcomer
6 days ago
Correct, I am still not able to find any games in drop ins and only if I have friends who matchmake and are in EU or NA region, they can find games easily.
It's very frustrating. And also the high ping is pain, I am not sure what's happening, is the game geo tagging us to asia pacific and then from there connecting to EU or NA servers? I don't know, maybe a Dev can help on this. Can anyone please tag them in this thread?
jnchero90
Rising Novice
6 days ago
The low population was already a thing in previous NHL versions. But still managed to get my games.
But NHL 26 doesnt even connect me anymore to any game. I had two games on the first Saturday a week ago during early access. After that nothing anymore. And if I see that people in North America can connect easily to games, I feel that there is some region restrictions maybe
saying this: I finally had my 3rd game in 8 days :D
stevivor
New Novice
6 days ago
I haven't played a single game online to date. Low population, never matchmade. Crossplay on.
jnchero90
Rising Novice
7 days ago
Not at all. I got 2 games in ranked in 7 days and apart nothing. In NHL25 I had some games at least, mostly against European players (mostly Finnish).
Its a bit frustrating because in other games I never have problems to get a match
Anand2209
Seasoned Newcomer
7 days ago
I am facing the same problem, getting 260+ ping in what seems to be EU servers. In 25 I used to get around 150.
I think matchmaking routing is not optimised
Socair
Hero+
11 days ago
Were you able to find any games outside of HUTjnchero90?