The Chicago Blackhawks remain in the thick of a rebuild, but they already boast a centerpiece worth tuning in for every night. Conor Bedard arrived as the most hyped prospect since Connor McDavid and quickly proved he belonged in the NHL. Even as a teenager, he’s shown the elite scoring touch and dazzling puck skills of a franchise cornerstone.
Bedard isn’t carrying the load alone. Chicago has surrounded him with veteran stability from players like Nick Foligno and Tyler Bertuzzi, while prospects such as Frank Nazar and Oliver Moore represent the future core. Each game offers another glimpse of this next generation of Blackhawks taking shape.
Whether you’re in Illinois or watching from afar, this is a team worth following. In this guide, I’ll break down everything you need to watch the Chicago Blackhawks so you never miss a shift of Chicago’s budding superstar.
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What channels have Chicago Blackhawks games?
Most Chicago Blackhawks games this season will air locally on Chicago Sports Network (CHSN), the team’s regional broadcast partner. If you’re outside that area, you’ll need ESPN+ to stream those CHSN broadcasts out of market.
Beyond local coverage, 15 games will air nationally on ESPN and TNT as part of the NHL’s U.S. broadcast deal. These spotlight dates put Conor Bedard and the Blackhawks on center stage against marquee opponents.
Want radio coverage? WGN Radio 720 AM is the Blackhawks’ flagship station. You can listen on the radio in the Chicago area or stream broadcasts from anywhere using the WGN Radio app.
2025–2026 Chicago Blackhawks TV schedule
Even if the Blackhawks aren’t quite back in Stanley Cup contention, they’re one of the NHL’s most fascinating teams to watch. Conor Bedard is quickly becoming must-see TV, blending highlight-reel skill with the maturity of a franchise cornerstone.
This season’s schedule is a fantastic showcase for the Blackhawks’ young core. As an avid follower, I’m especially looking forward to the big games against rivals like the Detroit Red Wings, which will always be a noteworthy test for this squad.
Scroll down for the complete 2025–2026 Blackhawks TV schedule, which I’ll keep updated all season.
| Opponent | Date | Time (ET) | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Preseason |
|||
| At Detroit Red Wings | Tuesday, Sept. 23 | 7:00 p.m. | CHSN |
| At St. Louis Blues | Saturday, Sept. 27 | 7:00 p.m. | CHSN |
| At Minnesota Wild | Sunday, Sept. 28 | 6:00 p.m. | CHSN |
| Detroit Red Wings | Tuesday, Sept. 30 | 8:00 p.m. | CHSN |
| Minnesota Wild | Friday, Oct. 3 | 8:00 p.m. | CHSN |
| St. Louis Blues | Saturday, Oct. 4 | 7:00 p.m. | CHSN |
|
October |
|||
| At Florida Panthers | Tuesday, Oct. 7 | 5:00 p.m. | ESPN |
| At Boston Bruins | Thursday, Oct. 9 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Montreal Canadiens | Saturday, Oct. 11 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Utah Mammoth | Monday, Oct. 13 | 8:30 p.m. | TBA |
| At St. Louis Blues | Wednesday, Oct. 15 | 9:30 p.m. | TNT, HBO Max |
| Vancouver Canucks | Friday, Oct. 17 | 8:30 p.m. | TBA |
| Anaheim Ducks | Sunday, Oct. 19 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Tampa Bay Lightning | Thursday, Oct. 23 | 6:45 p.m. | ESPN+, Hulu |
| Los Angeles Kings | Sunday, Oct. 26 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Ottawa Senators | Tuesday, Oct. 28 | 8:45 p.m. | TBA |
| At Winnipeg Jets | Thursday, Oct. 30 | 8:00 p.m. | TBA |
|
November |
|||
| At Edmonton Oilers | Saturday, Nov. 1 | 10:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Seattle Kraken | Monday, Nov. 3 | 10:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Vancouver Canucks | Wednesday, Nov. 5 | 10:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Calgary Flames | Friday, Nov. 7 | 9:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Detroit Red Wings | Sunday, Nov. 9 | 1:00 p.m. | TBA |
| New Jersey Devils | Wednesday, Nov. 12 | 9:30 p.m. | TNT, HBO Max |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | Saturday, Nov. 15 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Calgary Flames | Tuesday, Nov. 18 | 8:30 p.m. | TBA |
| Seattle Kraken | Thursday, Nov. 20 | 8:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Buffalo Sabres | Friday, Nov. 21 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Colorado Avalanche | Sunday, Nov. 23 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Minnesota Wild | Wednesday, Nov. 26 | 8:30 p.m. | ESPN+, Hulu |
| Nashville Predators | Friday, Nov. 28 | 8:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Anaheim Ducks | Sunday, Nov. 30 | 3:30 p.m. | TBA |
|
December |
|||
| At Vegas Golden Knights | Tuesday, Dec. 2 | 10:00 p.m. | ESPN+, Hulu |
| At Los Angeles Kings | Thursday, Dec. 4 | 10:00 p.m. | ESPN+, Hulu |
| At Los Angeles Kings | Saturday, Dec. 6 | 9:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Anaheim Ducks | Sunday, Dec. 7 | 8:00 p.m. | TBA |
| New York Rangers | Wednesday, Dec. 10 | 7:30 p.m. | TNT, HBO Max |
| At St. Louis Blues | Friday, Dec. 12 | 8:00 p.m. | ESPN+, Hulu |
| Detroit Red Wings | Saturday, Dec. 13 | 8:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Toronto Maple Leafs | Tuesday, Dec. 16 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Montreal Canadiens | Thursday, Dec. 18 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Ottawa Senators | Saturday, Dec. 20 | 3:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Philadelphia Flyers | Tuesday, Dec. 23 | 9:00 p.m. | TNT, HBO Max |
| At Dallas Stars | Saturday, Dec. 27 | 8:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Pittsburgh Penguins | Sunday, Dec. 28 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| New York Islanders | Tuesday, Dec. 30 | 8:30 p.m. | TBA |
|
January |
|||
| Dallas Stars | Thursday, Jan. 1 | 8:30 p.m. | TBA |
| At Washington Capitals | Saturday, Jan. 3 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Vegas Golden Knights | Sunday, Jan. 4 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| St. Louis Blues | Wednesday, Jan. 7 | 9:30 p.m. | TNT, HBO Max |
| Washington Capitals | Friday, Jan. 9 | 8:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Nashville Predators | Saturday, Jan. 10 | 8:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Edmonton Oilers | Monday, Jan. 12 | 8:30 p.m. | TBA |
| Calgary Flames | Thursday, Jan. 15 | 8:30 p.m. | TBA |
| Boston Bruins | Saturday, Jan. 17 | 8:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Winnipeg Jets | Monday, Jan. 19 | 8:30 p.m. | TBA |
| At Carolina Hurricanes | Thursday, Jan. 22 | 7:00 p.m. | ESPN+, Hulu |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | Friday, Jan. 23 | 7:00 p.m. | ESPN |
| Florida Panthers | Sunday, Jan. 25 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Minnesota Wild | Tuesday, Jan. 27 | 8:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Pittsburgh Penguins | Thursday, Jan. 29 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Columbus Blue Jackets | Friday, Jan. 30 | 8:30 p.m. | TBA |
|
February |
|||
| San Jose Sharks | Monday, Feb. 2 | 8:30 p.m. | TBA |
| At Columbus Blue Jackets | Wednesday, Feb. 4 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Nashville Predators | Thursday, Feb. 26 | 8:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Colorado Avalanche | Saturday, Feb. 28 | 6:00 p.m. | TBA |
|
March |
|||
| At Utah Mammoth | Sunday, March 1 | 4:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Winnipeg Jets | Tuesday, March 3 | 8:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Vancouver Canucks | Friday, March 6 | 8:30 p.m. | TBA |
| At Dallas Stars | Sunday, March 8 | 6:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Utah Mammoth | Monday, March 9 | 8:30 p.m. | TBA |
| At Utah Mammoth | Thursday, March 12 | 9:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Vegas Golden Knights | Saturday, March 14 | 10:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Minnesota Wild | Tuesday, March 17 | 7:30 p.m. | TNT, HBO Max |
| At Minnesota Wild | Thursday, March 19 | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN+, Hulu |
| Colorado Avalanche | Friday, March 20 | 8:30 p.m. | TBA |
| Nashville Predators | Sunday, March 22 | 3:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At New York Islanders | Tuesday, March 24 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Philadelphia Flyers | Thursday, March 26 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At New York Rangers | Friday, March 27 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At New Jersey Devils | Sunday, March 29 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Winnipeg Jets | Tuesday, March 31 | 8:30 p.m. | TBA |
|
April |
|||
| At Edmonton Oilers | Thursday, April 2 | 9:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Seattle Kraken | Saturday, April 4 | 10:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At San Jose Sharks | Monday, April 6 | 10:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Carolina Hurricanes | Thursday, April 9 | 8:30 p.m. | TBA |
| St. Louis Blues | Saturday, April 11 | 5:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Buffalo Sabres | Monday, April 13 | 8:30 p.m. | TBA |
| San Jose Sharks | Wednesday, April 15 | 8:30 p.m. | TBA |
Data effective as of post date.
Best TV plans for watching the Chicago Blackhawks
Blackhawks coverage in the United States
For fans in Chicago and across the U.S., the best way to follow the Blackhawks is with a TV plan that carries both Chicago Sports Network and national partners like ESPN, TNT, and ABC. CHSN is a must-have for its in-market broadcasts, and it offers great pre- and post-game coverage, including athlete and coach interviews
If you want comprehensive coverage, look for a live TV streaming service or provider that bundles local sports with national channels. Stream with DIRECTV and Fubo both carry ESPN and TNT, with regional availability for CHSN in the Chicago market. As an added benefit, both services now come with ESPN Unlimited at no extra cost, giving you access to all out-of-market NHL games on ESPN+ through the ESPN app.
Canadian TV and streaming options
Canadian fans can catch the Blackhawks on Sportsnet and TSN, which air nationally televised NHL games throughout the season. Hockey Night in Canada on Saturday nights remains a staple for marquee matchups, though Chicago won’t appear as often as a Canada-based team.
Because the Blackhawks are a U.S. club, most of their games are considered out-of-market in Canada. To follow those matchups, fans have two great options: Sportsnet+ Premium, Canada’s streaming package for out-of-market NHL games, or NHL Centre Ice, a traditional cable and satellite package that provides the same coverage. Both options include nearly every Blackhawks game not subject to blackout rules.
It’s also worth checking Prime Monday Night Hockey on Amazon Prime Video. While the Blackhawks won’t appear every week, their matchups may occasionally land in those national prime-time slots.
How to watch the Chicago Blackhawks for free
If you want to catch the Blackhawks without paying for a subscription, you have two great workarounds. Nationally televised games on ABC (U.S.) and CBC (Canada) are often available over the air with a digital antenna, letting you watch select marquee matchups at no cost if you’re within range of a local station.
For games on premium channels, your best strategy is to use a free trial. Several live TV streaming services, like DIRECTV and YouTube TV, offer free trial periods that include ESPN and TNT. Timing a trial during a busy stretch of Chicago games can give you short-term access without opening your wallet.
How to watch the Chicago Blackhawks FAQ
How do I watch out-of-market Blackhawks games?
For U.S. fans outside the Chicago TV market, your best combination is ESPN+ (which includes NHL Power Play) for most regular-season games and a live TV service for the exclusive national matchups on ABC, ESPN, and TNT. NHL Center Ice also offers out-of-market NHL coverage to cable TV subscribers.
Does ESPN+ show every Blackhawks game?
No, NHL Power Play on ESPN+ carries nearly every out-of-market Blackhawks game, but there are important exceptions. You’ll only see those games if you’re outside the Blackhawks’ broadcast territory, and you’ll still face local and national blackouts.
Can I stream CHSN without cable?
Yes. If you’re a cord-cutter in the Chicago area, you’ve got two great options for streaming every Blackhawks game. You can either sign up for a live TV streaming service that carries the channel (like DIRECTV or Fubo) or you can subscribe directly to the CHSN standalone app.
Can I watch the Chicago Blackhawks in Canada?
Canadian fans can catch the Blackhawks on national channels like Sportsnet and TSN, which air select NHL games throughout the season. But to follow the full schedule, you’ll need Sportsnet+ Premium (streaming) or NHL Centre Ice (cable/satellite) for out-of-market coverage in Canada.
How much longer will the Blackhawks’ rebuild last?
Rebuilds don’t follow a set timeline, but the Blackhawks are still a couple of years away from serious contention. With Conor Bedard already showing superstar potential and prospects like Frank Nazar, Oliver Moore, and Sam Rinzel developing, the foundation is in place. Chicago has signaled patience, using veterans such as Nick Foligno and Tyler Bertuzzi to guide the roster while the young core matures. If Bedard continues to progress and the pipeline delivers, the Blackhawks could push for a playoff spot within two to three seasons. For now, every game is about growth—watching prospects develop, veterans mentor, and Bedard evolve into one of hockey’s brightest stars. Even if the wins take time, the journey is worth following.
Why you should trust us
CableTV.com’s NHL viewing guides are created by hockey experts who live and breathe the game. This article was written by Ian McLaren, a seasoned writer with nearly 20 years of NHL coverage experience. As host of the Locked On Boston Bruins podcast, Ian has tracked the Chicago Blackhawks from their Stanley Cup dynasty years (including the painful 2013 Final) through their current rebuild around Conor Bedard.
To build this guide, Ian reviewed the complete 2025–2026 NHL broadcast schedule and verified every channel and streaming service for accuracy. His goal is to give Blackhawks fans—whether in Chicago or across North America—the clearest and most reliable information for watching their team.
Check out our How We Rank page to learn more about our methods.
