The Columbus Blue Jackets are one of the NHL’s most intriguing young teams. With Adam Fantilli and Kent Johnson poised to take steps forward and winger Kirill Marchenko emerging as a reliable goal scorer, Columbus is assembling a core that could grow into something special. Anchored by veterans like Zach Werenski and Sean Monahan, there’s a sense that the Jackets may finally be turning a corner.
That optimism comes with caution. While the talent is there, the team still has to prove it can compete with the Metropolitan Division heavyweights. Still, when Nationwide Arena is rocking, there’s no mistaking the passion of Blue Jackets fans—or their hunger to see playoff hockey return to Columbus.
Catching every game isn’t always simple between regional blackouts and national TV exclusives. That’s where this guide comes in. I’ll walk you through every way to watch the Columbus Blue Jackets this season, whether you’re in Ohio or cheering from afar.
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What channels have Columbus Blue Jackets games?
Most Columbus Blue Jackets games air on FanDuel Sports Network Ohio (FDSOH), the team’s regional broadcast home. But if you’re a fan outside that TV market, you’ll need ESPN+ or a cable/satellite package with NHL Center Ice for out-of-market coverage.
This season, the Jackets will appear on ESPN and ESPN+/Hulu as part of the NHL’s national broadcast package. You’ll also want ABC, TNT, and NHL Network access for additional league action.
Want radio coverage? If you can’t catch the Columbus Blue Jackets on TV, you can still follow every game on the Blue Jackets Radio Network. The flagship station is 97.1 The Fan (WBNS-FM) in Columbus, with coverage carried across affiliates throughout Ohio.
2025–2026 Columbus Blue Jackets TV schedule
The Columbus Blue Jackets’ schedule is packed with must-watch matchups this season, including divisional battles against Pittsburgh and Washington. For a team trying to prove it belongs in the playoff conversation, every game will matter. And fans won’t want to miss a shift of Adam Fantilli, Kent Johnson, and the rest of Columbus’s young core.
Of course, not every game will be easy to find without the right TV plan in place. That’s why I’ve pulled together the full Blue Jackets TV schedule in one place. Now, you’ll always know where to tune in—whether the Jackets are on FanDuel Sports Network, ESPN, or ESPN+.
| Opponent | Date | Time (ET) | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Preseason |
|||
| St. Louis Blues | Sunday, Sept. 21 | 5:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Buffalo Sabres | Monday, Sept. 22 | 7:00 p.m. | FDSOH |
| At Buffalo Sabres | Tuesday, Sept. 23 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Pittsburgh Penguins | Wednesday, Sept. 24 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Pittsburgh Penguins | Saturday, Sept. 27 | 7:00 p.m. | NHL Net |
| Washington Capitals | Tuesday, Sept. 30 | 7:00 p.m. | FDSOH |
| At Washington Capitals | Saturday, Oct. 4 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
|
October |
|||
| At Nashville Predators | Thursday, Oct. 9 | 8:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Minnesota Wild | Saturday, Oct. 11 | 8:00 p.m. | TBA |
| New Jersey Devils | Monday, Oct. 13 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Colorado Avalanche | Thursday, Oct. 16 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | Saturday, Oct. 18 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Dallas Stars | Tuesday, Oct. 21 | 8:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Washington Capitals | Friday, Oct. 24 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Pittsburgh Penguins | Saturday, Oct. 25 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Buffalo Sabres | Tuesday, Oct. 28 | 6:45 p.m. | TBA |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | Wednesday, Oct. 29 | 7:30 p.m. | TBA |
|
November |
|||
| St. Louis Blues | Saturday, Nov. 1 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At New York Islanders | Sunday, Nov. 2 | 5:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Calgary Flames | Wednesday, Nov. 5 | 9:30 p.m. | TBA |
| At Vancouver Canucks | Saturday, Nov. 8 | 10:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Edmonton Oilers | Monday, Nov. 10 | 8:30 p.m. | TBA |
| At Seattle Kraken | Tuesday, Nov. 11 | 10:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Edmonton Oilers | Thursday, Nov. 13 | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN+, Hulu |
| New York Rangers | Saturday, Nov. 15 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Montreal Canadiens | Monday, Nov. 17 | 7:30 p.m. | TBA |
| At Winnipeg Jets | Tuesday, Nov. 18 | 8:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Toronto Maple Leafs | Thursday, Nov. 20 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Detroit Red Wings | Saturday, Nov. 22 | 1:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Washington Capitals | Monday, Nov. 24 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | Wednesday, Nov. 26 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Pittsburgh Penguins | Friday, Nov. 28 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
|
December |
|||
| At New Jersey Devils | Monday, Dec. 1 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Detroit Red Wings | Thursday, Dec. 4 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Florida Panthers | Saturday, Dec. 6 | 3:30 p.m. | TBA |
| At Washington Capitals | Sunday, Dec. 7 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Carolina Hurricanes | Tuesday, Dec. 9 | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN+, Hulu |
| Ottawa Senators | Thursday, Dec. 11 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Vegas Golden Knights | Saturday, Dec. 13 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Anaheim Ducks | Tuesday, Dec. 16 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Minnesota Wild | Thursday, Dec. 18 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Anaheim Ducks | Saturday, Dec. 20 | 10:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Los Angeles Kings | Monday, Dec. 22 | 10:00 p.m. | TBA |
| New York Islanders | Sunday, Dec. 28 | 5:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Ottawa Senators | Monday, Dec. 29 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| New Jersey Devils | Wednesday, Dec. 31 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
|
January |
|||
| Buffalo Sabres | Saturday, Jan. 3 | 3:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Pittsburgh Penguins | Sunday, Jan. 4 | 3:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At San Jose Sharks | Tuesday, Jan. 6 | 10:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Vegas Golden Knights | Thursday, Jan. 8 | 10:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Colorado Avalanche | Saturday, Jan. 10 | 4:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Utah Mammoth | Sunday, Jan. 11 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Calgary Flames | Tuesday, Jan. 13 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Vancouver Canucks | Thursday, Jan. 15 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Pittsburgh Penguins | Saturday, Jan. 17 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Ottawa Senators | Tuesday, Jan. 20 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Dallas Stars | Thursday, Jan. 22 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | Saturday, Jan. 24 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Los Angeles Kings | Monday, Jan. 26 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Philadelphia Flyers | Wednesday, Jan. 28 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Chicago Blackhawks | Friday, Jan. 30 | 8:30 p.m. | TBA |
| At St. Louis Blues | Saturday, Jan. 31 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
|
February |
|||
| At New Jersey Devils | Tuesday, Feb. 3 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Chicago Blackhawks | Wednesday, Feb. 4 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Boston Bruins | Thursday, Feb. 26 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| New York Islanders | Saturday, Feb. 28 | 6:00 p.m. | TBA |
|
March |
|||
| At New York Rangers | Monday, March 2 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Nashville Predators | Tuesday, March 3 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Florida Panthers | Thursday, March 5 | 7:00 p.m. | ESPN |
| Utah Mammoth | Saturday, March 7 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Tampa Bay Lightning | Tuesday, March 10 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Florida Panthers | Thursday, March 12 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Philadelphia Flyers | Saturday, March 14 | 7:30 p.m. | TBA |
| Carolina Hurricanes | Tuesday, March 17 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| New York Rangers | Thursday, March 19 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Seattle Kraken | Saturday, March 21 | 5:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At New York Islanders | Sunday, March 22 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Philadelphia Flyers | Tuesday, March 24 | 7:00 p.m. | ESPN+, Hulu |
| At Montreal Canadiens | Thursday, March 26 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| San Jose Sharks | Saturday, March 28 | 5:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Boston Bruins | Sunday, March 29 | 5:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Carolina Hurricanes | Tuesday, March 31 | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN+, Hulu |
|
April |
|||
| At Carolina Hurricanes | Thursday, April 2 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Winnipeg Jets | Saturday, April 4 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Detroit Red Wings | Tuesday, April 7 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Buffalo Sabres | Thursday, April 9 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Montreal Canadiens | Saturday, April 11 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Boston Bruins | Sunday, April 12 | 6:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Washington Capitals | Tuesday, April 14 | 7:00 p.m. | ESPN |
Data effective as of post date.
Best TV plans for watching the Columbus Blue Jackets
Blue Jackets coverage in the United States
The best TV plan for watching the Blue Jackets depends on one simple thing: where you live. If you’re in the Ohio area, your top priority is getting FanDuel Sports Network Ohio. But for fans outside the region, your most essential service is ESPN+ (or NHL Center Ice, if you’re a cable subscriber).
My top recommendation for the most complete, all-in-one TV service is Stream with DIRECTV. It’s the only provider that truly checks every box for a Blue Jackets fan. The CHOICE™ package and above come with FDSOH for in-market games alongside crucial national channels like ESPN and TNT. You’ll also get the new ESPN Unlimited package, unlocking full access to ESPN+ for out-of-market games directly within the ESPN app.
But if you’re an out-of-market fan who doesn’t need the local RSN, Hulu + Live TV is another fantastic option. It also includes the ESPN+ bundle and often comes at a lower price because you’re not paying a regional sports fee.
Canadian TV and streaming options
If you’re following the Blue Jackets from Canada, national NHL coverage is split between Sportsnet and TSN, with Saturday games featured on Hockey Night in Canada. While Columbus doesn’t get as many national slots north of the border, you can still catch select matchups on these networks throughout the season.
For the most consistent coverage, I’ve found Sportsnet+ to be the best standalone choice in Canada. Its premium plan keeps you plugged into national broadcasts while carrying all out-of-market NHL games.
Just don’t forget about Prime Monday Night Hockey on Amazon Prime Video, which is the exclusive home of Monday night NHL matchups in Canada. It’s always worth checking Prime Video’s NHL schedule to see if the Blue Jackets are featured in those national prime-time slots.
How to watch the Columbus Blue Jackets for free
The easiest way to watch the Columbus Blue Jackets for free is by taking advantage of free trials from live TV streaming services. Platforms like DIRECTV, Fubo, and YouTube TV regularly offer trial periods that include the national NHL channels, which is perfect for catching a marquee Jackets game.
Local fans should also keep an eye out for special promotions from FanDuel Sports Network, especially early in the season. While most games require a subscription, these limited-time offers are a great way to sample the coverage before committing long-term.
How to watch the Columbus Blue Jackets FAQ
How do I watch out-of-market Blue Jackets games?
If you live outside the Blue Jackets’ local broadcast region, your best option is an ESPN+ subscription to stream out-of-market games. But you’ll also need a live TV streaming service like Hulu + Live TV to watch exclusive national matchups.
Does ESPN+ show every Blue Jackets game?
No, ESPN+ only carries live out-of-market Blue Jackets games for those outside the team’s regional TV territory. And blackout restrictions still apply. Any game airing nationally will be blacked out, as will locally televised games featuring your in-market NHL franchise.
Can I stream FanDuel Sports Network Ohio without cable?
Yes, cord-cutters in the Columbus market have two great options. You can subscribe directly to the standalone FanDuel Sports Network streaming app or get the channel through a live TV streaming service like DIRECTV or Fubo. Amazon Prime Video also offers FanDuel Sports Network in the U.S. as a standalone channel add-on for $19.99 per month.
Can I watch the Columbus Blue Jackets in Canada?
Yes. For Canadian fans, the simplest way to watch the Blue Jackets is with a Sportsnet+ Premium subscription for out-of-market games. But you’ll also need national channels and an Amazon Prime Video subscription for any exclusives.
Will the Blue Jackets be a playoff team this season?
The Blue Jackets have the pieces to be more competitive, but a playoff berth in 2025–2026 is far from guaranteed. Young stars like Adam Fantilli and Kent Johnson are expected to take steps forward, while winger Kirill Marchenko continues to develop into one of the team’s most reliable goal scorers. Captain Boone Jenner hopes to play a full season after injuries limited him in 2024–2025. Other veterans like Zach Werenski and Sean Monahan bring stability, but Columbus still has to prove it can hang with Metropolitan Division heavyweights. Much will depend on health, consistency in goal, and whether the young core can deliver more offense. If everything clicks, a wild card spot is possible. But realistically, the Jackets remain in the middle of their rebuild, and this season is more about progress than Stanley Cup contention.
Why you should trust us
This guide was created by CableTV.com contributor Ian McLaren, a lifelong hockey fan who has covered the NHL for nearly 20 years. As host of the Locked On Boston Bruins podcast, Ian has kept a close eye on the Blue Jackets since their expansion days, when the cannon blast at Nationwide Arena became one of hockey’s most distinctive goal celebrations.
To create this guide, Ian reviewed the full 2025–2026 NHL broadcast schedule and double-checked every channel and streaming service. His goal is to give every Blue Jackets fan—from Columbus to across North America—the most accurate and reliable info for watching their team.
Check out our How We Rank page to learn more about our methods.
