The Columbus Blue Jackets still look like a team trying to turn promise into playoff hockey. After another 40-win season ended short of the postseason, Columbus has a talented young core led by Adam Fantilli and an established star on the blue line in Zach Werenski. There’s plenty to like, but the Jackets still have work to do before they can call themselves a consistent Metropolitan Division contender.
Blue Jackets fans also have a different TV setup to navigate. FanDuel Sports Network Ohio’s shutdown ended the team’s longtime regional arrangement, and Blue Jackets Hockey Network now handles local broadcasts. Amazon Prime Video is the confirmed in-market streaming option, while ESPN and TNT Sports handle the national exclusives.
To watch every Columbus Blue Jackets game, you need to know which viewing option carries each matchup. Keep reading for the team’s complete TV schedule and our top recommendations for fans in Ohio and beyond.
What channels have Columbus Blue Jackets games?
Most local Blue Jackets games air on the new Blue Jackets Hockey Network, with Prime Video serving as the in-market streaming option. Cable and satellite distribution is also part of the new setup, while select games will be available over the air.
Only two regular-season games are national exclusives. The November 10 matchup against Florida streams on ESPN+, Disney+, and Hulu, while the April 8 game against Philadelphia airs on TNT.
Beyond the Blue Jackets’ TV territory, most out-of-market broadcasts stream on NHL Power Play in the ESPN app with ESPN Select or ESPN Unlimited. NHL Center Ice is another option through participating cable and satellite providers.
Want radio coverage? Blue Jackets games air across the Blue Jackets Radio Network, led by flagship station 97.1 The Fan in Columbus. Select games move to 93.3 The Bus when scheduling conflicts arise.
2026–2027 Columbus Blue Jackets TV schedule
The Blue Jackets’ expanded 84-game schedule features four matchups against every Metropolitan Division opponent. Columbus plays seven of its first nine games at Nationwide Arena before ending the regular season with four straight matchups against Metro rivals.
That makes divisional games a recurring theme from October through April, including four meetings apiece with Pittsburgh, Washington, the Rangers, the Islanders, the Devils, the Flyers, and the Hurricanes. Keep scrolling for the complete Columbus Blue Jackets TV schedule with current viewing information.
NHL - Columbus Blue Jackets Schedule
| Opponent | Date | Time (ET) | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|
Preseason | |||
Monday, Sept. 21 | 7:00 p.m. | BlueJackets.com | |
Tuesday, Sept. 22 | 7:00 p.m. | BlueJackets.com | |
Thursday, Sept. 24 | 7:00 p.m. | BlueJackets.com | |
Saturday, Sept. 26 | 7:00 p.m. | ESPN+, BlueJackets.com | |
October | |||
Thursday, Oct. 1 | 7:00 p.m. | ESPN+, BJHN | |
Saturday, Oct. 3 | 7:00 p.m. | ESPN+, BJHN | |
Friday, Oct. 9 | 7:00 p.m. | ESPN+, BJHN | |
Saturday, Oct. 10 | 7:00 p.m. | ESPN+, BJHN | |
Tuesday, Oct. 13 | 6:15 p.m. | ESPN+, BJHN | |
Saturday, Oct. 17 | 7:00 p.m. | ESPN+, BJHN | |
Sunday, Oct. 18 | 6:00 p.m. | ESPN+, BJHN | |
Tuesday, Oct. 20 | 7:00 p.m. | ESPN+, BJHN | |
Saturday, Oct. 24 | 7:00 p.m. | ESPN+, BJHN | |
Tuesday, Oct. 27 | 7:00 p.m. | ESPN+, BJHN | |
Thursday, Oct. 29 | 7:00 p.m. | ESPN+, BJHN | |
At Dallas Stars | Saturday, Oct. 31 | 8:00 p.m. | ESPN+, BJHN |
November | |||
Tuesday, Nov. 3 | 7:00 p.m. | ESPN+, BJHN | |
Thursday, Nov. 5 | 7:00 p.m. | ESPN+, BJHN | |
Friday, Nov. 6 | 7:00 p.m. | ESPN+, BJHN | |
Tuesday, Nov. 10 | 7:30 p.m. | ||
Thursday, Nov. 12 | 7:00 p.m. | ESPN+, BJHN | |
Saturday, Nov. 14 | 7:00 p.m. | ESPN+, BJHN | |
Tuesday, Nov. 17 | 7:00 p.m. | ESPN+, BJHN | |
Thursday, Nov. 19 | 8:00 p.m. | ESPN+, BJHN | |
Saturday, Nov. 21 | 7:00 p.m. | ESPN+, BJHN | |
Monday, Nov. 23 | 7:00 p.m. | NHL Network, BJHN | |
Wednesday, Nov. 25 | 7:00 p.m. | ESPN+, BJHN | |
Friday, Nov. 27 | 3:00 p.m. | ESPN+, BJHN | |
Monday, Nov. 30 | 7:00 p.m. | ESPN+, BJHN | |
December | |||
Thursday, Dec. 3 | 7:00 p.m. | BJHN | |
Saturday, Dec. 5 | 2:00 p.m. | BJHN | |
Monday, Dec. 7 | 7:00 p.m. | BJHN | |
Thursday, Dec. 10 | 7:00 p.m. | BJHN | |
Saturday, Dec. 12 | 1:00 p.m. | BJHN | |
Sunday, Dec. 13 | 6:00 p.m. | BJHN | |
Tuesday, Dec. 15 | 7:00 p.m. | BJHN | |
Thursday, Dec. 17 | 7:00 p.m. | BJHN | |
Saturday, Dec. 19 | 7:00 p.m. | BJHN | |
Monday, Dec. 21 | 7:00 p.m. | BJHN | |
Tuesday, Dec. 22 | 7:00 p.m. | BJHN | |
Saturday, Dec. 26 | 8:00 p.m. | BJHN | |
Sunday, Dec. 27 | 6:00 p.m. | BJHN | |
Tuesday, Dec. 29 | 7:00 p.m. | BJHN | |
Thursday, Dec. 31 | 2:00 p.m. | BJHN | |
January | |||
Saturday, Jan. 2 | 7:00 p.m. | BJHN | |
Sunday, Jan. 3 | 6:00 p.m. | BJHN | |
Tuesday, Jan. 5 | 7:00 p.m. | BJHN | |
Thursday, Jan. 7 | 7:00 p.m. | BJHN | |
Friday, Jan. 8 | 7:00 p.m. | BJHN | |
Tuesday, Jan. 12 | 8:00 p.m. | BJHN | |
Friday, Jan. 15 | 8:00 p.m. | BJHN | |
Saturday, Jan. 16 | 10:00 p.m. | BJHN | |
Monday, Jan. 18 | 4:00 p.m. | BJHN | |
Thursday, Jan. 21 | 7:00 p.m. | BJHN | |
Saturday, Jan. 23 | 3:30 p.m. | BJHN | |
Sunday, Jan. 24 | 5:00 p.m. | Amazon Prime Video, BJHN | |
Tuesday, Jan. 26 | 7:00 p.m. | BJHN | |
Thursday, Jan. 28 | 7:00 p.m. | BJHN | |
Saturday, Jan. 30 | 7:00 p.m. | BJHN | |
February | |||
Monday, Feb. 8 | 7:30 p.m. | BJHN | |
Tuesday, Feb. 9 | 7:00 p.m. | BJHN | |
Thursday, Feb. 11 | 7:00 p.m. | BJHN | |
Saturday, Feb. 13 | 7:00 p.m. | BJHN | |
Monday, Feb. 15 | 3:00 p.m. | BJHN | |
At Utah Mammoth | Wednesday, Feb. 17 | 9:00 p.m. | BJHN |
Thursday, Feb. 18 | 10:00 p.m. | BJHN | |
Saturday, Feb. 20 | 5:00 p.m. | BJHN | |
Monday, Feb. 22 | 7:00 p.m. | BJHN | |
Friday, Feb. 26 | 7:00 p.m. | BJHN | |
Saturday, Feb. 27 | 7:00 p.m. | BJHN | |
March | |||
Monday, March 1 | 7:00 p.m. | BJHN | |
Wednesday, March 3 | 10:00 p.m. | BJHN | |
Friday, March 5 | 10:00 p.m. | BJHN | |
Sunday, March 7 | 8:00 p.m. | Amazon Prime Video, BJHN | |
Thursday, March 11 | 7:00 p.m. | BJHN | |
Saturday, March 13 | 7:00 p.m. | BJHN | |
Tuesday, March 16 | 7:00 p.m. | BJHN | |
Thursday, March 18 | 7:00 p.m. | BJHN | |
Saturday, March 20 | 7:00 p.m. | BJHN | |
Monday, March 22 | 7:00 p.m. | BJHN | |
Thursday, March 25 | 7:00 p.m. | BJHN | |
Saturday, March 27 | 7:00 p.m. | BJHN | |
Tuesday, March 30 | 7:00 p.m. | BJHN | |
April | |||
Thursday, April 1 | 7:00 p.m. | BJHN | |
Saturday, April 3 | 5:00 p.m. | BJHN | |
Tuesday, April 6 | 7:45 p.m. | BJHN | |
Thursday, April 8 | 7:30 p.m. | ||
Saturday, April 10 | 5:00 p.m. | BJHN |
Best TV plans for watching the Columbus Blue Jackets
Blue Jackets fans have watched the TV landscape change almost as much as the franchise itself since Columbus joined the NHL in 2000. The old routine of finding one regional sports network has given way to the Blue Jackets Hockey Network, which is designed to reach local viewers through streaming, traditional TV providers, and select over-the-air stations. And with only select regular-season games airing exclusively on national platforms, local access matters more here than it does for many sports teams.
Prime Video offers the most direct streaming path to regional games, while DIRECTV’s MySports Genre Pack covers the national side of the NHL schedule. For fans outside the Blue Jackets’ TV territory, ESPN Select provides NHL Power Play and ESPN+ coverage without requiring ESPN’s highest streaming tier.
Best for Local Streaming
Prime Video is the most straightforward confirmed streaming option for fans inside the Blue Jackets’ TV territory. The Blue Jackets Hockey Network package costs $19.99 a month or $99.99 annually and carries every regional regular-season broadcast, plus the accompanying pregame and postgame coverage. You only need a free Amazon account to subscribe, so you don’t need an Amazon Prime membership as a base plan.
Best for National Games
The MySports Genre Pack from DIRECTV includes ESPN, TNT, truTV, NHL Network, and ESPN Unlimited, giving Blue Jackets fans a deep national NHL lineup. DIRECTV hasn’t announced carriage of Blue Jackets Hockey Network yet, so Prime Video remains the dependable regional option for local viewers. If the network eventually joins DIRECTV’s MyHome Team add-on, MySports subscribers could combine local and national Blue Jackets coverage on one bill.
Best for Out-of-Market Fans
For Blue Jackets fans outside the team’s TV territory, ESPN Select covers most of what you need. NHL Power Play carries regional Blue Jackets broadcasts out of market, while Select also includes ESPN+ for the team’s streaming-exclusive matchup. You’ll still need separate access for the TNT Sports exclusive, which is also available with an HBO Max Standard or Premium plan.
How to watch the Columbus Blue Jackets FAQ
Can I watch Columbus Blue Jackets games for free?
Some local Blue Jackets games will be available over the air through the Blue Jackets Hockey Network, giving fans in supported areas a free antenna option. You can also try free trials from live TV streaming providers like DIRECTV and YouTube TV for nationally televised games.
How can I watch out-of-market Columbus Blue Jackets games?
Most out-of-market Blue Jackets games are available through NHL Power Play in the ESPN app with ESPN Select or ESPN Unlimited. NHL Center Ice is another option through participating cable and satellite providers. Local blackout restrictions still apply when Columbus plays the NHL team in your area.
Where is the Blue Jackets TV territory?
The Blue Jackets' regional TV territory includes most of Ohio, West Virginia, and Kentucky. Some areas are excluded, including Lucas County and parts of eastern Ohio closer to Pennsylvania, so your exact location determines whether you receive the local broadcast or NHL Power Play coverage.
What happened to FanDuel Sports Network Ohio?
FanDuel Sports Network Ohio shut down after its parent company, Main Street Sports Group, wound down its regional sports network business. The Blue Jackets and NHL replaced that setup with the Blue Jackets Hockey Network, which now oversees the team's regional game production and distribution.
Why you should trust us
CableTV.com contributor Ian McLaren has covered the NHL for nearly two decades and has followed the Blue Jackets since their expansion days. He’s watched the franchise develop its own identity in Columbus, from the early years at Nationwide Arena to the cannon becoming one of the NHL’s most recognizable goal celebrations.
In this guide, Ian compared the Blue Jackets’ regional viewing options with national and out-of-market coverage and reviewed territory restrictions, blackouts, and provider availability. CableTV.com’s editorial team regularly reviews this page as viewing options and distribution agreements change. Check out our How We Rank page to learn more about our methods.
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