The Detroit Red Wings and Columbus Blue Jackets face off in the 2025 NHL Stadium Series on Saturday, March 1. Ohio Stadium will host the outdoor matchup, which will air on ESPN instead of its usual ABC home.
This season’s game will be the Red Wings’ fourth outdoor appearance and the Blue Jackets’ first. The Red Wings hold a 2–1 record outside—losing once in the 2014 Winter Classic against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Keep reading to learn how to watch the 2025 Stadium Series and scope out our TV provider recommendations.
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What channels show the NHL Stadium Series?
Best TV plans for watching the NHL Stadium Series
If you’re a dedicated NHL fan, chances are you already have TV access to the 2025 NHL Stadium Series on ESPN. But if not, Sling TV is an excellent, cost-effective choice. Its Sling Orange plan costs $45.99/mo. and comes with ESPN alongside 30+ other top-tier channels—including TNT for added NHL coverage.
Of course, Sling TV isn’t your only option for tuning in. Disney+ and ESPN+ will get you the game for as low as $9.99/mo. Otherwise, our next section outlines other cable, satellite, and live TV streaming services that offer ESPN. You can also check out our How To Watch NHL Games guide for a more comprehensive look at the best NHL TV providers.
Which TV providers show the NHL Stadium Series?
Because ESPN is a standard cable channel, you’ll find the NHL Stadium Series game on most TV providers. You can browse popular services in the following table, where we highlight the ones carrying ESPN.
| Provider | Price | ESPN | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cox | $61.00–$152.00/mo. | ✔ |
Read Cox Review |
| DIRECTV | $74.99–$164.99/mo. | ✔ |
View plans Read DIRECTV Review |
| DIRECTV STREAM | $74.99–$154.99/mo. | ✔ |
View plans Read DIRECTV STREAM Review |
| DISH | $86.99–$116.99/mo. | ✔ |
View plans Read DISH Review |
| Fubo | $14.99–$94.99/mo. | ✔ |
View plans Read Fubo Review |
| Hulu + Live TV | $81.99–$95.99/mo. | ✔ |
View plans Read Hulu + Live TV Review |
| Optimum | $40.00–$135.00/mo. | ✔ |
View plans Read Optimum Review |
| Philo | $28.00/mo. | — |
View plans Read Philo Review |
| Sling TV | $45.99–$60.99/mo. | ✔ |
View plans Read Sling TV Review |
| Spectrum | $45.00–$105.00/mo. | ✔ |
Check Availability Read Spectrum review |
| Verizon Fios | $95.00–$139.00/mo. | ✔ |
View plans Read Verizon Fios review |
| Xfinity | $20.00–$80.00/mo. | ✔ |
Read Xfinity Review |
| YouTube TV | $82.99/mo. | ✔ |
View plans Read YouTube TV Review |
Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
How can I watch the NHL Stadium Series for free?
Because the NHL Stadium Series airs on ESPN, the only way to tune in without paying is to sign up for a free streaming trial.
Fubo offers a seven-day free trial with ESPN and other national NHL channels, giving you a week of hockey action at no cost. DIRECTV STREAM and YouTube TV also carry ESPN in their channel lineups and regularly provide free trials.
Just remember to cancel before your trial period ends to avoid paying. If you go the Fubo route, it’ll conveniently show you down to the minute when your trial expires.
Want more NHL coverage for free? You can catch other nationally televised NHL games without signing up for a TV service by using an over-the-air (OTA) antenna to pick up your local ABC network.
How to watch the NHL Stadium Series FAQ
Who is performing at the NHL Stadium Series?
O.A.R. will perform at the 2025 NHL Stadium Series Pep Rally, while the Ohio State Athletic Band will perform during the game’s opening ceremony and second intermission.
How can I watch the outdoor hockey game?
The 2024–2025 NHL season features two outdoor hockey events: the Winter Classic and Stadium Series. In the U.S., you can watch the Winter Classic on TNT and the Stadium Series on ESPN. There was no Heritage Classic game this season.
Why you should trust us
Our sports experts spent the last three NHL seasons researching and hands-on testing the best ways to watch NHL games. For the NHL Stadium Series, we compared popular TV services to determine our viewing recommendations—focusing on pricing, channel availability, and ease of use.
Check out our How We Rank page to learn more about our methods.
