Pro hockey heads outside for the first time during the 2024–2025 season with the NHL Winter Classic on December 31. The historic Wrigley Field in Chicago hosts the game’s 16th edition, but traveling to frosty Illinois is not the only way to tune in. You can enjoy the game from the warm comfort of your home with any TV plan that includes TNT.
This season’s Winter Classic features the Chicago Blackhawks hosting the St. Louis Blues. Not only does the game include a major divisional rivalry, but it’s also a rematch of the 2017 Winter Classic. That game saw a 4–1 Blues victory and a Nelly pregame show.
Keep scrolling to learn more about how to watch the upcoming NHL Winter Classic—including which TV providers carry TNT.
What channels show the NHL Winter Classic?
In the U.S., the 2024–2025 NHL Winter Classic will air live on TNT at 5:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday, December 31. A simulcast will also air on truTV and stream on Max.
Canada-based viewers can catch the game with English-language commentary on Sportsnet, while TVA Sports will carry Canadian French–language coverage.
Want radio coverage? Sports USA will syndicate the NHL Winter Classic to its affiliate stations. You can learn more about the radio network’s affiliates and upcoming broadcasts by visiting its Sports USA Schedules page.
Best TV plans for watching the NHL Winter Classic
The best TV plan for watching the NHL Winter Classic depends on your budget and viewing habits. If you’re looking for the cheapest option and already have reliable internet, we recommend subscribing to Max. Its $9.99-a-month base plan includes free access to the B/R Sports Add-On, which streams live NHL games like the Winter Classic.
But if you want a slightly more substantial TV plan, you can get Sling TV’s Orange plan for $40 a month. It includes TNT alongside TBS, ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPN3 for more national NHL coverage—meaning you won’t miss the All-Star Game and NHL Playoffs if you stay subscribed beyond January.
With the Sports Extra add-on, you can take your Sling TV base plan to the next level for as low as $11 a month. That’ll get you NHL Network, ESPNews, ESPNU, and college conference networks—a crucial lineup of channels for watching the NCAA Men’s Ice Hockey Championship. (You’ll need ESPN+ to watch certain parts of the women’s tournament.)
Which TV providers show the NHL Winter Classic?
Most TV providers carry the NHL Winter Classic—the notable exception being Fubo, which doesn’t have TNT Sports channels like TNT, TBS, and truTV. To illustrate this, we’ve listed 13 popular TV providers in the table below—highlighting which ones carry TNT.
| Provider | Price | TNT | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cox | $61.00–$152.00/mo. | ✔ |
Read Cox Review |
| DIRECTV | $57.99–$142.99/mo. | ✔ |
View plans Read DIRECTV Review |
| DIRECTV STREAM | $69.99–$149.99/mo. | ✔ |
View plans Read DIRECTV STREAM Review |
| DISH | $97.99–$147.99/mo. | ✔ |
View plans Read DISH Review |
| Fubo | $32.99–$89.99/mo. | — |
View plans Read Fubo Review |
| Hulu + Live TV | $81.99–$95.99/mo. | ✔ |
View plans Read Hulu + Live TV Review |
| Optimum | $35.00–$125.00/mo. | ✔ |
View plans Read Optimum Review |
| Philo | $28.00/mo. | — |
View plans Read Philo Review |
| Sling TV | $40.00–$55.00/mo. | ✔ |
View plans Read Sling TV Review |
| Spectrum | $40.00–$105.00/mo. | ✔ |
Check Availability Read Spectrum Review |
| Verizon Fios | $85.00–$129.00/mo. | ✔ |
View plans Read Verizon Fios review |
| Xfinity | $20.00–$80.00/mo. | ✔ |
Read Xfinity Review |
| YouTube TV | $72.99/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 Winter Classic for free?
Unfortunately, you’ll need a TV plan to watch the NHL Winter Classic on TNT. But you can still catch the game without spending a penny by signing up for a free streaming trial.
DIRECTV STREAM and YouTube TV are the only live TV streaming services that carry TNT and regularly offer free trials. Though, sometimes Hulu + Live TV and Sling TV have sign-up deals—just be sure to cancel before the trial ends.
Pro tip: Unlike the Winter Classic, you can catch other nationally televised NHL games for free using an over-the-air (OTA) antenna to pick up your local ABC network.
How to watch the NHL Winter Classic FAQ
What time is the Winter Classic?
The 2024–2025 NHL Winter Classic will begin at 5:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday, December 31, 2024. NHL on TNT will exclusively air the New Year’s Day matchup, with a simulcast available on truTV and Max.
How can I watch the Winter Classic without TNT?
This season’s NHL Winter Classic is exclusive to TNT in the U.S. However, Max subscribers can stream the Winter Classic via its B/R Sports Add-On for no extra cost.
Can I watch the Winter Classic on ESPN?
No, ESPN won’t air this season’s NHL Winter Classic. But you can watch the NHL Stadium Series and other national NHL coverage across ESPN and its sister networks.
Why you should trust us
Our sports experts researched and tested over a dozen TV providers to find the cheapest and most reliable way to watch the NHL Winter Classic. We examined cable, satellite, and live TV streaming services side by side—focusing on each provider’s pricing, channel availability, and sign-up process.
Check out our How We Rank page to learn more about our methods.
