Hockey has always made fans work a little for the payoff: learn the line changes, follow the puck, and, increasingly, figure out where the game is airing. Still, viewers keep showing up. The 2025–2026 regular season delivered the NHL’s strongest U.S. national TV audience in 14 years. That gives the league plenty of momentum heading into 2026–2027.
Figuring out how to watch your favorite NHL team can still feel like a penalty kill. National coverage is split among ESPN platforms, TNT Sports, and NHL Network. In-market viewing is changing even faster. Traditional regional sports networks (RSNs) are no longer the only game in town. More clubs are turning to local broadcast stations and direct-to-consumer streaming, including six teams moving their local streams to Prime Video this season.
That’s a lot to keep tabs on, but don’t worry. This guide is your TV playbook for the 2026–2027 NHL season. I’ll break down the national channels, explain local and out-of-market coverage, highlight key dates, and recommend the best TV plans. You can also jump straight to your favorite team’s guide to find the right broadcast.
What channels show NHL games?
NHL local and out-of-market coverage
Local coverage is the trickier part. Depending on your team, in-market games may air on a regional sports network, a local broadcast station, a team-specific streaming service, Prime Video, or some combination of those. That’s why I recommend starting with your favorite team’s local broadcast setup before choosing a TV provider. Use the drop-down below to jump to our dedicated viewing guide for your team.
If you follow a team from outside its home market, NHL Power Play on ESPN+ offers more than 1,050 out-of-market games with either ESPN Select or ESPN Unlimited. NHL Center Ice is the cable and satellite alternative. Keep in mind that NHL Network also picks up select regional games for national distribution, so no single out-of-market service carries literally every NHL broadcast.
NHL schedule: 2026–2027 key dates and channels
The NHL calendar follows a familiar rhythm, from NHL preseason tune-ups to the nightly grind of the regular season. Along the way, marquee events like the Winter Classic, All-Star Weekend, and Stadium Series break up the schedule before the playoff race intensifies in the spring.
Then it’s on to the Stanley Cup Playoffs and, eventually, the Stanley Cup Final in June. Whether you’re planning ahead or checking what’s still to come, the table below highlights the biggest dates and national TV channels for the 2026–2027 season.
| Event | Start date | Channels |
|---|---|---|
| NHL Opening Night | Sept. 29, 2026 | ESPN |
| NHL Heritage Classic | Oct. 25, 2026 | TNT, HBO Max |
| NHL Winter Classic | Dec. 31, 2026 | TNT, truTV, HBO Max |
| NHL All-Star Game | Feb. 6, 2027 | ABC |
| NHL Stadium Series | Feb. 20, 2027 | ABC |
| NHL Playoffs | April 2027 | ESPN and TNT Sports platforms |
| Stanley Cup Final | June 2027 | TNT, HBO Max |
| 2027 NHL Draft | June 25, 2027 | ESPN, NHL Network |
Editor’s Choice: DIRECTV
Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. See full disclaimer for details.
Pros
- Large channel counts w/ ESPN Unlimited access
- Wide selection of regional sports networks
Cons
- Expensive plans
- Hidden fees
DIRECTV is my favorite live TV streaming service for watching NHL games because it combines all four main national NHL channels with wide regional sports network availability. Its CHOICE package and above include RSNs in supported markets, while NHL Network comes standard with ULTIMATE and PREMIER.
That local coverage is still a major advantage, but RSNs aren’t the whole NHL picture anymore. Some teams now rely on local broadcast stations, team-specific streaming services, or Prime Video, so check your team’s local setup before choosing a plan.
I single out a live TV streaming service as my top NHL viewing option because there are no lengthy contracts or bulky equipment requirements. But you’ll need a strong and reliable internet connection to avoid frequent buffering issues. If that kind of internet coverage is unavailable in your area, I recommend DIRECTV’s traditional satellite TV service instead.
The biggest drawback of DIRECTV is its price. NHL Network comes standard with ULTIMATE and PREMIER, though ENTERTAINMENT and CHOICE subscribers can add DIRECTV Sports Pack instead. One major NHL perk is that DIRECTV Signature Packages include ESPN Unlimited, giving you access to NHL Power Play’s 1,050+ out-of-market games.
Still, if you don’t need extensive RSN coverage, Sling TV is my best-value pick for national NHL games.
Best Value for National Games: Sling TV
Data effective as of post date. Compatible device and internet connection required. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Pros
- Lower price than competitors
- Customizable packages
Cons
- Limited local channel coverage
- Unlimited DVR storage upcharge
Sling TV is less expensive than DIRECTV for watching national NHL games. Its Sling Orange plan is $45.99/mo. and gets you ESPN and TNT, while its Sports Extra add-on ($11.00/mo.) has NHL Network. Add ESPN Select ($12.99/mo.) for NHL Power Play and ESPN’s 47 streaming-exclusive games. Your in-market coverage will still depend on your team.
ABC is the main piece missing from Sling Orange. Sling carries ABC with select plans in designated markets, but availability depends on where you live. If your local ABC station is within range, an over-the-air antenna is another inexpensive way to fill that gap.
With Sling TV, you’re in the Zamboni driver’s seat to decide what channels you want. But it’s the cheapest way to watch national games across ESPN and TNT Sports channels in one plan because Sling Orange with the Sports Extra add-on is just $56.99/mo. before tax. It’s also an inexpensive way to watch NBA and college basketball action, should you share a passion for hockey and b-ball.
The biggest limitation of the Sling Orange plan is that it allows one stream at a time. I also don’t like that Sling TV forces you to pay an extra $5.00/mo. for unlimited DVR storage.
Best Cable or Satellite TV Provider: DIRECTV
Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. See full disclaimer for details.
Pros
- Large channel counts
- Wide selection of regional sports networks
Cons
- Expensive plans
- 2-yr. contract
- Bulky satellite dish
I already explained why DIRECTV’s streaming service is great for watching the NHL, and its satellite alternative isn’t much different in its content offerings. That’s why I label it the best traditional service for viewing NHL games because it’s ideal for anyone unable to commit to a streaming package.
DIRECTV combines the main national NHL channels with wide RSN availability, making it a strong traditional-TV option in markets where regional sports networks still carry local games. You can even add NHL Center Ice to your DIRECTV package for integrated out-of-market NHL coverage — something DIRECTV’s streaming version doesn’t offer.
I recommend DIRECTV’s ULTIMATE All-Included plan because that’s where you’ll find NHL Network. It’s $124.99/mo. and comes with some neat premium channel deals. You’ll also get over 270+ channels, which ought to hold you over between hockey games.
The reason I chose DIRECTV streaming over its satellite brother as my top choice for watching NHL games is because of the commitment that comes with DIRECTV’s satellite packages. You must sign a two-year contract and deal with the satellite dish and its corresponding cables, which I know is impossible for some who live in apartments or condos. There are also hidden costs to DIRECTV that you should be aware of before signing up.
Best for Out-Of-Market Games: ESPN Select
Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. Blackout restrictions apply.
Pros
- 1,050+ out-of-market NHL games
- Home and away team commentary feeds
- National NHL game replays
Cons
- Local blackouts for non-exclusive games
- Delayed replay access for blacked-out games
- No watchlist feature
ESPN Select is an essential streaming service for NHL coverage in the U.S. It’s primarily the home for out-of-market NHL matchups (branded as NHL Power Play on ESPN+), offering the same coverage as NHL Center Ice. The big advantage of subscribing to ESPN Select is that it has slightly more live games and tons of additional sports content. Plus, you can watch every NHL game on demand after it airs, but you must wait 24 hours to watch blacked-out game replays.
This season, ESPN Select will show 47 exclusive NHL game telecasts on ESPN+ on top of its out-of-market coverage. Any Hulu subscription will carry those same 47 games, a bonus to anyone already subscribed.
You won’t get any of the traditional ESPN channels with ESPN Select, which is why it works best when paired with a live TV provider or bundled through ESPN Unlimited. Typically, I would recommend signing up for Hulu + Live TV because it includes ESPN Unlimited access through the ESPN app. But Hulu + Live TV doesn’t carry NHL Network, and you can get complete national NHL coverage through Sling TV for around $20 less.
Beyond live and on-demand NHL games, ESPN Select has many live college sports — meaning you can catch men’s and women’s college hockey during fall, winter, and spring. Some Ice Hockey World Championship matchups even stream exclusively on ESPN+.
If you only care about your local team’s games, ESPN Select may not be necessary. In-market coverage varies by team and can come from an RSN, local broadcast station, Prime Video, or another streaming service, so start with your team’s local viewing options before subscribing.
How to watch NHL games for free
An over-the-air (OTA) antenna can get you select NHL games for free. ABC airs select national matchups, so you can watch those games without a monthly TV subscription if your local affiliate is within range.
Some fans can get much more hockey over the air. In markets such as Nashville, Las Vegas, Utah, and South Florida, local broadcasters air many regional games on free OTA stations. Nationally exclusive games are the main exception. That makes an antenna especially useful in those areas, even if you also use a streaming service for national and out-of-market coverage.
Before buying an antenna, check Antennas Direct’s Transmitter Locator to see which stations reach your address and how far away their towers are. The tool also shows whether stations use UHF or VHF signals. Because terrain, buildings, and trees can affect reception, use those results to guide your antenna choice. Our Best OTA Antennas guide can help you narrow down the right model.
How to watch NHL games FAQ
How can I watch all NHL games?
No single service carries every NHL broadcast in the U.S. You'll typically need the national NHL channels (ABC, ESPN, TNT, and NHL Network), ESPN Select or ESPN Unlimited for NHL Power Play's out-of-market coverage, and your team's local broadcast option if you live in-market.
How can I watch NHL games without cable?
You can watch NHL games without cable through live TV streaming services, ESPN Select or ESPN Unlimited, and team-specific local streaming options such as Prime Video. An over-the-air antenna can also get you ABC games and, in some markets, additional local broadcasts for free.
Can you watch NHL on Amazon Prime?
Yes, Prime Video carries NHL games in several ways. In the U.S., it serves as the local streaming home for select NHL teams in their regional territories. You can also add subscriptions like HBO Max through Prime Video Channels for select national NHL games.
Where can I watch NHL preseason games?
NHL preseason TV and streaming coverage varies by team and market. The 2026–2027 preseason features 65 games from September 19 to 26, with broadcast details varying by matchup. Visit our How To Watch the NHL Preseason guide for more viewing details.
Did NHL.TV go away?
No. NHL.TV still exists internationally through DAZN, but it isn't available in the U.S. or Canada. U.S. viewers use NHL Power Play on ESPN+ for out-of-market streaming, while Canadian viewers can use Sportsnet+ for out-of-market regional games.
How can I listen to NHL games on the radio?
Most NHL teams have AM or FM radio affiliates for local fans to listen to live games. But you can also stream match audio from every NHL game this season on TuneIn Premium.
Why you should trust us
Our CableTV.com Sports Editor, Taylor Kujawa, is plugged into the NHL season and the always-changing TV media landscape. As a Chicago Blackhawks fan living in the Minnesota Wild’s TV market, his personal viewing habits give him a unique, firsthand perspective on the challenges of following both in-market and out-of-market teams.
For this guide, Taylor combined that fan experience with an in-depth analysis of every major TV provider. He’s tracked every new streaming service and broadcast deal to ensure his recommendations are based on years of hands-on testing, all with the goal of helping you build the perfect, frustration-free TV setup for hockey season.
Check out our How We Rank page to learn more about our methods.
More ways to watch the NHL
NHL Center Ice is an out-of-market sports package for cable and satellite TV subscribers that gets you around 40 NHL games per week. It also includes NHL Network for around-the-clock hockey coverage.
Network might not crack the top of cable TV’s most-watched lists, but for hardcore hockey fans, it’s essential viewing. The channel delivers live games, expert analysis, and breaking news.
Our sports editors have tested the top sports-centric streaming platforms to get you the Best of the Best of sports streaming in 2026 so you can tune in on game day with confidence.
Disclaimer
Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
*DIRECTV streaming: ENTERTAINMENT: + Taxes. Cancel anytime. CHOICE: ($104.98/mo. w/ req’d fees). Price reflects $10 off for 3 mos. Cancel anytime. ULTIMATE: ($134.98/mo. w/ req’d fees). Price reflects $10 off for 3 mos. Cancel anytime. PREMIER™: for 24 months + taxes & fees. Cancel anytime. OPTIMO MÁS: for 24 months + taxes & fees. Cancel anytime.
†DIRECTV satellite: ENTERTAINMENT: ($99.99/mo. w/req’d $10/mo. TV Access Fee) w/24-mo. agmt. Autopay and paperless bill req’d. One-time $49.95 activation fee is extra and applies. CHOICE: ($124.98/mo. w/req’d $10/mo. TV Access Fee & Regional Sports Fee of up to $19.99/mo.) w/ 24-mo.agmt. Autopay and paperless bill req’d. One-time $49.95 activation fee is extra and applies. ULTIMATE: ($154.98/mo. w/req’d $10/mo. TV Access Fee & Regional Sports Fee of up to $19.99/mo.) w/ 24-mo.agmt. Autopay and paperless bill req’d. One-time $49.95 activation fee is extra and applies. PREMIER™: ($199.98/mo. w/req’d $10/mo. TV Access Fee & Regional Sports Fee of up to $19.99/mo.) w/ 24-mo. agmt. Autopay and paperless bill req’d. One-time $49.95 activation fee is extra and applies.
**Data connection req’d. Recordings expire after 9 months. In a series recording, max 30 episodes stored with unlimited hours of cloud DVR and max 10 episodes stored with 20 hours of cloud DVR (oldest deleted first which may be in less than 9 months). Restrictions apply.
