Where to watch NHL games depends on the viewer’s country, team, and local broadcast area. American and Canadian rights divide games between national and regional partners. Meanwhile, most international fans can choose either Viaplay in the Nordic countries or NHL.TV through DAZN elsewhere.
Therefore, this guide covers the 2026–27 season, Stanley Cup Playoffs, and out-of-market services. It focuses on established hockey markets and legal options. Readers can also explore ForeverWatch’s sports streaming sites hub and ways to watch live TV.
Last Updated: July 2026
How This Guide Was Structured
- Confirmed national, regional, and out-of-market viewing options separately.
- Prioritised countries with established ice hockey and NHL audiences.
- Checked the 2026–27 rights changes in the United States and Canada.
Rights and individual game selections can still change. Therefore, the official NHL viewing guide remains the best final check before a game.
About the NHL and Its Season
The National Hockey League is North America’s leading professional ice hockey competition. It has 32 teams across the US and Canada. Each club will play 84 regular-season games in 2026–27.
The schedule starts on 29 September 2026 and runs into April 2027. Four playoff rounds then determine the Stanley Cup champion. The official 2026–27 NHL schedule also includes European games in Finland and Germany.
Where to Watch NHL by Country
The table compares the clearest legal options. However, US and Canadian viewers should read the regional notes because local rights can override national coverage.
| Region | Main live platforms | Out-of-market or complete-season option | Playoffs and Stanley Cup |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | ESPN, ABC, ESPN+, Hulu, TNT, TBS, HBO Max and local team broadcasters | ESPN+ or NHL Center Ice | ESPN and TNT Sports platforms; 2027 Final on TNT |
| Canada | Sportsnet, Sportsnet+ and regional Sportsnet, TSN or RDS channels | Sportsnet+ Premium or NHL Centre Ice | Sportsnet and Sportsnet+ |
| Sweden | Viaplay and selected Viaplay television channels | Viaplay | Viaplay |
| Finland | Viaplay and selected television coverage | Viaplay | Viaplay |
| Norway and Denmark | Viaplay | Viaplay | Viaplay |
| United Kingdom and Ireland | Premier Sports | NHL.TV on DAZN | NHL.TV on DAZN and selected Premier Sports coverage |
| Germany and Austria | Sky Sport | NHL.TV on DAZN, with live blackouts for Sky games | Sky Sport and NHL.TV on DAZN |
| Switzerland | MySports | NHL.TV on DAZN, with live blackouts for MySports games | MySports and NHL.TV on DAZN |
| Czechia and Slovakia | Nova Sport | NHL.TV on DAZN | NHL.TV on DAZN and selected Nova Sport coverage |
| Latvia and the Baltic states | TV6 or Go3 for selected games | NHL.TV on DAZN | NHL.TV on DAZN |
Where to Watch NHL in the United States
US national games are divided between ESPN and TNT Sports. ESPN, ESPN2, ABC, ESPN+, and Hulu carry one part of the schedule. TNT, TBS, truTV, and HBO Max carry the other. The 2026–27 season opens with an ESPN tripleheader, while TNT will show the 2027 Stanley Cup Final.
Meanwhile, local games use team-specific broadcasters. The league’s broadcast-area lookup identifies the correct provider by ZIP code.
ESPN+ supplies more than 1,000 out-of-market games through NHL Power Play. However, it does not replace the local service inside a team’s home territory. NHL Network games can also be unavailable on ESPN+.
Where to Watch NHL in Canada
Sportsnet begins a new 12-year national-rights agreement in 2026–27. National games, the playoffs, and the Final will appear on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+. The NHL and Rogers agreement runs through 2037–38.
Regional rights remain more complicated. Sportsnet carries local Canucks, Oilers, and Flames games, plus part of the Maple Leafs schedule. TSN and RDS hold regional packages involving the Canadiens, Senators, Jets, and some Maple Leafs games.
Sportsnet+ Premium is the main choice for out-of-market regional games. Notably, CBC’s NHL partnership ended after 2025–26. Prime Monday Night Hockey also expired, with no renewal confirmed by July 2026.
Where to Watch NHL in Sweden
Viaplay remains Sweden’s complete NHL home. Its package covers the regular season, playoffs, Final, highlights, and major events. Selected games may also appear on Viaplay television channels.
The broadcaster renewed its NHL agreement from 2026–27 through 2030–31. The official renewal announcement confirms another five seasons of coverage.
However, the full schedule requires a Viaplay sports package. Limited replays help because many games begin after midnight. European primetime games offer a more convenient option.
Where to Watch NHL in Finland
Finnish viewers can use Viaplay for every regular-season game and the complete playoffs. In addition, the service carries the Final and showcase events.
Selected matches may receive additional television coverage, but Viaplay remains the reliable full-season choice. Its Nordic deal now continues through 2030–31.
Finland will host two 2026 Global Series games between Carolina and Seattle. The official Global Series page lists both Helsinki fixtures. Even so, Viaplay remains the route for the wider season.
Where to Watch NHL in Norway and Denmark
Viaplay holds the complete package in Norway and Denmark. Subscribers can stream the regular season, playoffs, Final, and major events.
Neither country uses the international NHL.TV service because the NHL excludes the Nordic markets from its DAZN distribution agreement. Therefore, Viaplay is the correct starting point rather than DAZN.
However, entertainment-only plans may not include live sport. Viewers should confirm the package before subscribing. Replays help because most North American evening games begin overnight.
Where to Watch NHL in the United Kingdom and Ireland
NHL.TV on DAZN offers the most complete UK and Irish option. It includes live games, full replays, condensed games, and the playoffs. Moreover, viewers can buy it without a full DAZN sports plan.
Premier Sports also carries a large weekly selection. Its current package advertises around 500 games per season, or approximately 15 each week. However, it does not show every regular-season game.
Consequently, NHL.TV suits fans following one team. Premier Sports may suit viewers who prefer selected games and other sports in one subscription.
Where to Watch NHL in Germany and Austria
Sky Sport carries more than 300 games per season across Germany and Austria. Its coverage includes the regular season, playoffs, Final, and European primetime games.
NHL.TV through DAZN provides the broader schedule. However, games selected by Sky are blacked out live on NHL.TV in both countries. DAZN adds the full replay shortly after the Sky broadcast ends.
Therefore, every game live may require both services. Otherwise, NHL.TV offers the more complete archive. The DAZN blackout guide identifies affected broadcasts.
Where to Watch NHL in Switzerland
MySports is the local Swiss partner and carries more than 300 games. The package includes regular-season action and important playoff broadcasts.
NHL.TV on DAZN also offers the full league schedule. Nevertheless, live MySports selections are blacked out on NHL.TV within Switzerland. Those games become available as full replays after the live broadcast.
Therefore, MySports subscribers should check its schedule first. By contrast, followers of one North American club may prefer NHL.TV for its wider selection.
Where to Watch NHL in Czechia and Slovakia
NHL.TV through DAZN is the clearest complete-season choice in Czechia and Slovakia. It carries every game live and on demand, including the playoffs and Final.
Nova Sport also shows selected games in both countries. Czech viewers can access its channels through supported television providers and Oneplay. Slovak access depends on the provider carrying Nova Sport.
The NHL’s European broadcast schedule names Nova Sport as the regional partner. However, NHL.TV better suits viewers who need every game.
Where to Watch NHL in Latvia and the Baltic States
NHL.TV on DAZN supplies the complete schedule in Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia. Subscribers receive live games, replays, recaps, condensed versions, and the playoffs.
TV6 and Go3 have carried selected European primetime games across the Baltic region. Still, the local schedule does not match the complete NHL.TV package.
Therefore, Latvian viewers following national stars across several teams may prefer NHL.TV. DAZN also offers a free game of the week in many eligible markets.
Why US and Canadian Coverage Is More Complicated
The NHL sells national and local rights separately in North America. A national broadcaster can show a selected game across the country. On another night, a team sells the same type of game to its regional partner.
As a result, this system creates several viewing routes. In-market fans need their team’s local broadcaster, while out-of-market fans use ESPN+ in the US or Sportsnet+ Premium in Canada. National games then move to ESPN, TNT Sports, or Sportsnet.
As a result, no American subscription guarantees every game live. Canadian access is more consolidated under Rogers, but TSN and RDS regional packages still matter. The NHL’s local broadcaster tool is therefore more reliable than a generic channel list.
How NHL.TV on DAZN Works
NHL.TV moved into the DAZN app from the 2025–26 season. The multi-year NHL and DAZN agreement covers nearly 200 countries. However, it excludes the United States, Canada, Sweden, Finland, Norway, and Denmark.
For example, eligible viewers can buy NHL.TV as a standalone channel or add it to an existing DAZN account. It includes live games, full replays, recaps, condensed games, and the playoffs. Moreover, most games offer a choice between home and away feeds.
Germany, Austria, and Switzerland have live blackouts when a local partner carries the game. Outside those exceptions, NHL.TV generally provides the most complete international package.
How NHL Blackouts Work
A blackout protects an exclusive broadcaster in a defined territory. However, it does not usually stop all viewing. The fan must use the local channel or national rights holder.
In the US, ESPN+ blocks a nearby team’s regional games. The correct service depends on the user’s ZIP code. In Canada, regional Sportsnet, TSN, and RDS games can also have territory restrictions.
International NHL.TV blackouts currently affect Sky broadcasts in Germany and Austria and MySports broadcasts in Switzerland. Fortunately, DAZN makes those games available as replays after they finish. Viewers should use official location tools rather than services that bypass regional rights.
Where to Watch the Stanley Cup Playoffs
US playoff coverage is divided between ESPN and TNT Sports. Games may appear on ESPN, ESPN2, ABC, ESPN+, TNT, TBS, truTV, or HBO Max. For the upcoming 2026–27 season, TNT has exclusive US rights to the 2027 Stanley Cup Final.
Meanwhile, Sportsnet and Sportsnet+ carry the playoffs throughout Canada. However, the final French-language distribution details for the new cycle had not been announced by July 2026.
Viaplay carries every round in the Nordics. NHL.TV on DAZN includes the playoffs in its eligible international countries, subject to the German, Austrian, and Swiss partner blackouts.
Can NHL Games Be Watched for Free?
Free legal access is limited. ABC broadcasts some US national games over the air, while several teams offer selected local games through free broadcast stations or ad-supported services. Availability depends heavily on the city.
Meanwhile, NHL.TV on DAZN introduced one free game of the week in many eligible markets. The selection changes, so it cannot follow one team consistently.
The official NHL YouTube channel provides highlights, interviews, and condensed coverage without a subscription. However, it does not stream the complete live season for free.
Replays, Highlights, and Condensed Games
For example, ESPN+ includes replays for the out-of-market games it carries. HBO Max and local team services set their own replay windows. Therefore, American viewers should check the original service.
Likewise, Sportsnet+ provides Canadian replays according to the user’s package and rights area. Viaplay retains games for a limited period in Nordic markets.
International NHL.TV subscribers receive full replays, short recaps, and condensed games through DAZN. This feature is especially useful in Europe because most live games begin overnight.
FAQs About NHL Platforms
Does ESPN+ show every NHL game in the United States?
No. Although ESPN+ carries national exclusives and more than 1,000 out-of-market games, local blackouts and other networks can require another service.
What service shows a local NHL team in the US?
The provider depends on the team’s broadcast territory. The NHL ZIP-code lookup identifies the current local channel or streaming service.
Does Sportsnet+ show every game in Canada?
Although Sportsnet+ Premium provides national and out-of-market games, local TSN or RDS rights can still affect availability.
Is NHL.TV included with a normal DAZN subscription?
Not automatically in every country. Viewers can buy NHL.TV as a standalone DAZN channel or add it to an existing account.
Can Nordic viewers subscribe to NHL.TV on DAZN?
No. Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden are excluded from that package because Viaplay holds the Nordic rights.
FAQs About Blackouts and the Stanley Cup
Why is a nearby team’s game blacked out on ESPN+?
ESPN+ serves out-of-market viewers. A fan inside the team’s home territory must use the local broadcaster unless the game has moved to a national network.
Where will the 2027 Stanley Cup Final air in the US?
TNT holds exclusive US rights to the Final at the end of the 2026–27 season. HBO Max will provide the associated streaming route.
Does NHL.TV on DAZN include the Stanley Cup Playoffs?
Yes, in eligible international countries. Live partner blackouts still apply to selected games in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
Can viewers choose home or away commentary on NHL.TV?
Usually, yes. NHL.TV on DAZN offers home and away feeds for most games, although a particular broadcast may provide only one option.
Can travellers keep watching their usual NHL subscription abroad?
Not always. Sports rights follow the viewer’s current location. A service may display a different catalogue or block playback after the subscriber crosses a border.
Final Thoughts
The best answer to where to watch NHL games depends on whether the viewer lives inside a team’s local market. Americans need ESPN, TNT Sports, and the correct regional broadcaster. Canadians should start with Sportsnet and Sportsnet+, while checking TSN or RDS for regional games.
Viaplay provides the complete season across Sweden, Finland, Norway, and Denmark. Elsewhere, NHL.TV on DAZN offers the broadest international coverage. Premier Sports, Sky Sport, MySports, Nova Sport, TV6, and Go3 add selected local broadcasts.
Because schedules and blackouts can change by game, viewers should confirm the official listing before the puck drops.
