After three seasons away, the NHL Heritage Classic is finally back under the open sky. On Sunday, October 25, the Winnipeg Jets will host the Montreal Canadiens at Princess Auto Stadium, home of the CFL’s Winnipeg Blue Bombers. It’ll be the eighth edition of the league’s original outdoor showcase and Winnipeg’s first Heritage Classic since 2016.
This matchup has plenty of Heritage Classic history. Montreal played in the inaugural 2003 event in Edmonton, while Winnipeg has already hosted once and later won the 2019 edition in Regina. A Canadiens–Jets matchup feels like a fitting way to bring the series back, especially with both clubs leaning into throwback looks for the occasion.
TNT Sports will handle U.S. TV coverage, while Sportsnet and TVA Sports will carry the game in Canada. Read on for the exact channels showing the game, our top streaming recommendations, and a few Heritage Classic details worth knowing before puck drop.
What channels show the NHL Heritage Classic?
U.S. viewers can watch the 2026 NHL Heritage Classic on TNT and truTV at 7:00 p.m. ET on Sunday, October 25. The game will also stream live on HBO Max, but you’ll need a Standard or Premium plan because the Basic with Ads tier doesn’t include live sports.
Canada-based viewers can catch English-language coverage on Sportsnet, with TVA Sports carrying the Canadian French–language broadcast. Sportsnet+ subscribers can also stream the game without a traditional TV package.
Pro tip: TuneIn currently streams every NHL game for free in the U.S., with home and away radio calls. For this season’s Heritage Classic, visit NHL Radio on TuneIn and choose either the Canadiens or Jets feed.
Best TV plans for watching the NHL Heritage Classic
You don’t need to build an oversized TV package around one outdoor hockey game. If the Heritage Classic is your main target, HBO Max offers the simplest standalone route. But if October 25 is just one stop on your NHL calendar, a live TV plan gives you a much stronger foundation for following the league beyond Winnipeg.
HBO Max
Best Standalone Option
HBO Max‘s Standard plan is the cleanest option if you’re primarily after the Heritage Classic. It streams the same TNT Sports coverage without requiring a robust cable, satellite, or live TV streaming package, and Standard is the lowest HBO Max tier that includes live sports.
Sticking around after October 25 also gets you other select NHL on TNT games and postseason coverage. But HBO Max won’t get you ESPN’s national NHL broadcasts, NHL Network, or out-of-market coverage, so think of it as a targeted hockey option rather than a complete season-long setup.
DIRECTV
Best Live TV Option
DIRECTV‘s MySports Genre Pack is CableTV.com’s preferred starting point for U.S. fans who want to keep watching hockey after the Heritage Classic. The package includes TNT and truTV for this matchup, along with ESPN and NHL Network. You’ll even get ESPN Unlimited included for additional national and out-of-market NHL coverage.
That last piece is especially useful for U.S.-based Canadiens or Jets fans. NHL Power Play on ESPN offers more than 1,050 out-of-market games this season, subject to blackout restrictions. If your favorite NHL team is local to you, though, check its in-market broadcaster before signing up. DIRECTV’s regional coverage varies by location, and some teams now rely on local broadcast stations or direct streaming services instead of traditional regional sports networks.
What is the NHL Heritage Classic?
The Heritage Classic is the NHL’s Canada-focused outdoor showcase. Unlike the Winter Classic, it isn’t an annual fixture. The series debuted in Edmonton in 2003 with the first outdoor regular-season game in NHL history, and the Canadiens–Jets matchup will mark only its eighth edition.
Winnipeg is one of the few cities to get a repeat turn. Princess Auto Stadium also hosted the 2016 Heritage Classic, while Montreal appeared in the event’s inaugural 2003 game and again in Calgary in 2011. Beyond the vintage sweaters and open-air spectacle, this matchup has plenty of real Heritage Classic history behind it.
How to watch the NHL Heritage Classic FAQ
How can I watch the NHL Heritage Classic for free?
DIRECTV currently advertises a five-day free trial for its MySports package, which includes TNT and truTV. Free-trial eligibility and promotions can change, so check the current offer before signing up.
What time is the NHL Heritage Classic?
The Winnipeg Jets and Montreal Canadiens will face off at 7:00 p.m. ET (6:00 p.m. CT) on Sunday, October 25, at Princess Auto Stadium in Winnipeg.
Can I watch the NHL Heritage Classic on ESPN+?
No. This year's Heritage Classic is part of TNT Sports' U.S. NHL coverage, so the main broadcast won't stream on ESPN+ or ESPN Unlimited. ESPN's streaming plans become useful if you want to keep watching NHL games after the Heritage Classic.
Is the NHL Heritage Classic held every year?
No. Unlike the annual Winter Classic, the Heritage Classic appears periodically on the NHL calendar. The 2026 game is the first since 2023 and only the eighth edition since the series debuted in 2003.
Why you should trust us
Our CableTV.com Sports Editor, Taylor Kujawa, researches the NHL’s national and local broadcast landscape throughout the season, including its outdoor showcase games. For this guide, he verified the Heritage Classic’s current U.S. and Canadian broadcast details and compared streaming and live TV options based on game access, value, and broader NHL coverage. He then cross-checked those recommendations against official league, broadcaster, and provider information so fans can choose the right setup without overbuying.
Check out our How We Rank page to learn more about our methods.
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