College hockey offers some of the most intense atmospheres in American sports. But for the average fan, finding a game on TV can be as chaotic as a line change during a power play.
Because the NCAA doesn’t have a single centralized media deal for hockey, the broadcast rights are split between national giants like ESPN and CBS Sports, regional networks like NESN, and a handful of conference-specific streaming platforms.
You might be looking to catch your team’s full season, or maybe you just want to eye a few top prospects before the NHL Entry Draft. Either way, you’ll likely need a combination of a live TV streaming service and a dedicated sports app.
In this guide, I break down exactly which TV plans get you to center ice so you know the best (and most affordable) ways to watch college hockey this season.
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What channels show college hockey?
You can watch college hockey on a mix of national channels, regional sports networks (RSNs), and dedicated streaming services. To keep it all straight, I find it easiest to view the broadcast landscape as divided into three main tiers.
National channels
ESPNU, ESPN2, and CBS Sports Network are the primary homes for high-profile college hockey games. Big Ten Network (BTN) is essential for powerhouse Midwest programs, while NHL Network occasionally simulcasts top regional matchups.
Regional sports networks
- NESN: The premier channel for Hockey East coverage and the Beanpot, with additional content airing on sister channel NESN+.
- Midco Sports: The exclusive home for North Dakota and many NCHC/CCHA games.
- SportsNet New York (SNY): Frequently carries ECAC games (like Quinnipiac or Cornell) and select Hockey East matchups.
- Altitude Sports: Essential for fans of Denver and Colorado College.
- Local broadcast affiliates: Some teams have dedicated deals with local over-the-air stations rather than cable networks. For example, FOX 9 Minneapolis–St. Paul is the dedicated home for many Minnesota Gopher and St. Cloud State games.
Exclusive streaming platforms
- ESPN+: Available within ESPN Unlimited and ESPN Select subscriptions, ESPN+ is the single most important service for following NCAA hockey. It hosts most ECAC and Hockey East games.
- B1G+: The subscription service for Big Ten games that aren’t on the main BTN channel.
- FloHockey: Atlantic Hockey and CCHA coverage streams exclusively on FloSports’ hockey hub.
- NCHC.tv: The dedicated platform for the National Collegiate Hockey Conference.
2025–2026 NCAA hockey schedule
The college hockey season typically begins in early October and runs through the Frozen Four in mid-April. While most of the regular season takes place on Friday and Saturday nights, the sport’s main events often command midweek or Sunday afternoon windows.
Things really heat up with mid-season tournaments like the Holiday Face-Off and storied traditions like the Beanpot. In March, play shifts to the conference championships, where teams compete for automatic NCAA Tournament bids.
College hockey key events
| Event | Dates | Channels |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday Face-Off | Dec. 28–29, 2025 | B1G+ |
| The Women's Beanpot | Jan. 13 & 20, 2026 | NESN, ESPN+ |
| The Men's Beanpot | Feb. 2 & 9, 2026 | NESN, ESPN+ |
| Conference Championships | Mid-March 2026 | BTN, NESN, CBS Sports Network, ESPN+ |
| NCAA Women's Regionals | March 12–15, 2026 | ESPN+ |
| NCAA Women's Frozen Four | March 20 & 22, 2026 | ESPNU, ESPN+ |
| NCAA Men's Regionals | March 26–29, 2026 | ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN+ |
| NCAA Men's Frozen Four | April 9 & 11, 2026 | ESPN2, ESPN+ |
Best TV plans for watching college hockey
Finding the best TV plan isn’t always about picking the service with the most channels. For college hockey, it’s about selecting the one that actually carries your team’s games. If you are a die-hard Atlantic Hockey follower, for example, your best option would be a standalone FloHockey subscription.
That said, a couple of services stand out for fans seeking the most comprehensive coverage. I’ve highlighted those below, explaining why you might choose one over the other.
Best overall coverage: DIRECTV
If you want comprehensive cable coverage without the bulky equipment, DIRECTV‘s streaming plans are the way to go. It’s one of the only streaming services that offer most RSNs alongside crucial channels like ESPNU, Big Ten Network, and CBS Sports Network.
The real cherry on top is that select DIRECTV plans now include ESPN Unlimited at no extra cost. This gives you the best of both worlds: the traditional TV channels you need for marquee matchups and the massive library of streaming-exclusive games found on ESPN+. While this is certainly the most expensive route to watching college hockey, it’s the only single-bill solution that truly covers the ice from wall to wall.
Best value service: ESPN Unlimited
For those who want extensive NCAA coverage without the high cost of a full live TV plan, I recommend ESPN Unlimited as a standalone option. This will get you every traditional ESPN network (ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU) and the streaming-exclusive content on ESPN+. That combination secures your seat for the majority of ECAC and Hockey East games, plus the entire NCAA Tournament in the spring.
The trade-off is that you’ll miss out on games outside the ESPN ecosystem. You won’t see anything airing on Big Ten Network, CBS Sports Network, or niche platforms like FloHockey. But if your team is featured heavily on ESPN—or if you just want the most hockey for the lowest price—this plan gets you significantly more ice time than what’s on ESPN+ alone.
How to watch college hockey FAQ
Can I stream college hockey for free?
Truly free options are rare. Occasionally, school-run networks or the Mountain West Network (for select Air Force or Colorado College games) will stream broadcasts for free. You can also take advantage of free trials from DIRECTV, Fubo, or YouTube TV during the conference tournament window in March.
Where can I watch college hockey replays?
ESPN+ archives most of its broadcasted games for on-demand viewing in the ESPN app shortly after the final buzzer. Similarly, B1G+ and NCHC.tv subscribers can typically access full-game archives for the duration of the season.
Why is college hockey blacked out in my area?
Blackouts are less common in college hockey than in the NHL, but they still happen. If a game is being shown on a regional sports network (like NESN), it'll likely be blacked out on national streaming services like ESPN+ for viewers in that team's local market.
Who are the announcers for college hockey?
John Buccigross is the most recognizable voice of the sport, often calling the Frozen Four on ESPN and championing the viral "Bucci Overtime Challenge." Other broadcast staples include Dave Starman on CBS Sports Network and various local legends calling games for NESN and the Big Ten Network.
Why you should trust us
CableTV.com contributor Ian McLaren lives and breathes hockey. For this guide, he researched the broadcast rights for every major NCAA conference to untangle the complex web of national, regional, and streaming-exclusive TV rights. He then compared top TV providers and apps based on their pricing, availability, and specific conference coverage to help fans find the most reliable viewing option for the season.
Check out our How We Rank page to learn more about our methods.
