The best ways to watch the 2026-27 NHL season
The best ways to watch the 2026-27 NHL season
The NHL regular season is about to begin! Find out how to stream each game.
Hockey season is nearly here! The 2026-27 NHL regular season starts on Tuesday, Sept. 29, and from there it’s non-stop hockey action until the end of the season in spring. Games will once again be shown on national TV channels like ESPN and TNT, as well as regional sports networks (RSNs) and regionally available streaming services.
So, what are the best ways to watch every NHL game this season? We’ll tell you which services have the most access to national games, how to watch regional games from each team, and more details about all the ways to view NHL games in 2026-27.
How to watch the 2026 NHL season
Which channels are carrying national NHL games in 2026?
ABC, ESPN, TBS, TNT, truTV, and NHL Network will all stream nationally available NHL games in the 2026-27 season. ESPN+ also gets a selection of nationally broadcast games that are available to stream on ESPN Select.
These channels are available with several live TV streaming services, and some of the games found thereon can also be streamed on direct-to-consumer services. We’ll go into much greater detail on which service has which channels, and which is the best choice, below, but for now, check out the chart to see which streamer offers which of these channels at a glance.
| DIRECTV | Fubo | Hulu | Sling TV | YouTube TV | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free Trial | Free Trial | Free 3-Day Trial | Save with Sling | Free Trial | |||||
| $20.99 | $9.99 | $28.99 | $19.99 | $29.99 | $45.99 | $45.99 | $64.99 | ||
| ABC | + $24 | + $59 | + $61 | - | ✓ | - | ✓ | ✓ | |
| ESPN | + $24 | + $59 | + $61 | ✓ | - | ✓ | - | ✓ | |
| NHL Network | + $15 | + $11 | - | - | - | + $11 | + $11 | - | |
| TBS | + $24 | - | + $61 | - | - | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| TNT | + $24 | - | + $61 | - | - | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| truTV | + $24 | - | + $61 | - | - | + $6 | ✓ | ✓ | |
Which channels and streamers have local NHL games in 2026?
The collapse of Main Street Sports Group and the resulting demise of FanDuel Sports Network channels ahead of the 2026-27 hockey season has shaken up the local NHL broadcasting scene in a major way. Prime Video nabbed the local rights to six NHL clubs this offseason, and there’s been other movement as teams try to determine the best way to bring games to fans.
Four of the clubs partnered with Prime Video — the Carolina Hurricanes, Columbus Blue Jackets, Minnesota Wild, and St. Louis Blues — will charge Prime Video subscribers $20 per month or $99 per season to watch all in-market games on the platform. The Anaheim Ducks and Dallas Stars will present their games to Prime Video customers at no extra cost, and the Seattle Kraken will continue to do likewise in 2026-27.
See where all 32 NHL teams will play on TV and streaming locally this season in the table below:
| NHL Team | Local TV Channel (Linear/OTA) | In-Market Direct Streaming Home |
|---|---|---|
| Anaheim Ducks | KCOP-TV | Prime Video |
| Boston Bruins | NESN | NESN 360 |
| Buffalo Sabres | MSG | DAZN |
| Calgary Flames | Sportsnet West (Canada) | Sportsnet+ (Canada) |
| Carolina Hurricanes | Hurricanes Hockey Network | Prime Video |
| Chicago Blackhawks | Chicago Sports Network (CHSN) | Chicago Sports Network App |
| Colorado Avalanche | Altitude | Altitude+ |
| Columbus Blue Jackets | Blue Jackets Hockey Network | Prime Video |
| Dallas Stars | Fox 4 | Prime Video |
| Detroit Red Wings | Detroit Sportsnet | Detroit Sportsnet within the MLB app |
| Edmonton Oilers | Sportsnet West (Canada) | Sportsnet+ (Canada) |
| Florida Panthers | Scripps Sports (WSFL-TV) | Panthers+ |
| Los Angeles Kings | Angels Broadcast Television | DAZN |
| Minnesota Wild | Local Broadcast Network Affiliates | Wild+ on Prime Video |
| Montreal Canadiens | TSN2 (English) / RDS (French) | TSN+, RDS Direct |
| Nashville Predators | The Spot Nashville 28 | Nashville Predators app |
| New Jersey Devils | MSG | DAZN |
| New York Islanders | MSG | DAZN |
| New York Rangers | MSG | DAZN |
| Ottawa Senators | TSN5 (English) / RDS (French) | TSN+ / RDS Direct |
| Philadelphia Flyers | NBC Sports Philadelphia | NBC Sports App, Peacock add-on |
| Pittsburgh Penguins | SportsNet Pittsburgh | [SportsNet Pittsburgh App] |
| San Jose Sharks | NBC Sports California | NBC Sports App, Peacock add-on |
| Seattle Kraken | KONG-TV / KING 5 (TEGNA) | Prime Video |
| St. Louis Blues | Local Broadcast Network Affiliates | Prime Video |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | The Spot Tampa Bay 66 | Tampa Bay Lightning App |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | Sportsnet Ontario, TSN4 (Canada) | Sportsnet+, TSN+ (Canada) |
| Utah Mammoth | SEG Media, KUPX-TV | SEG+ |
| Vancouver Canucks | Sportsnet Pacific (Canada) | Sportsnet+ (Canada) |
| Vegas Golden Knights | Scripps Sports (KMCC-TV) | KnightTime+ |
| Washington Capitals | Monumental Sports Network | Monumental+ |
| Winnipeg Jets | TSN3 (Canada) | TSN+ (Canada) |
The best live TV streamers for watching the NHL in 2026-27
There are several live TV streaming services that will carry both local and nationally broadcast NHL games in 2026-27. Some specialize in national sports channels, while others offer packages with both national networks and regional sports networks as well. See which is which below!
DIRECTV
DIRECTV is one of the very best ways to watch the 2026-27 NHL season. The streamer carries ABC, ESPN and TNT Sports channels in all of its Signature channel packages, starting with the ENTERTAINMENT plan at $90 per month for 90+ channels. NHL Network is available in higher-priced plans, as well as in the Sports add-on pack ($15 per month).
Customers who opt for a DIRECTV CHOICE package or above (starting at $95 per month before taxes and RSN fees) get their local RSN included in the package. DIRECTV carries a wide range of RSNs, including Altitude, MSG Network, Monumental Sports Network, NESN, and others — though unfortunately, not NBC Sports Philadelphia.
The DIRECTV MySports Genre Pack offers ABC, ESPN, TNT Sports channels, and NHL Network in a bundle of 20+ sports-themed networks at a price of $65 per month. Viewers can also add their market’s RSN with the MyHome Team Mini-Pack for an additional $20 per month with DIRECTV MySports. All DIRECTV Signature plans and the MySports Genre Pack include access to ESPN Unlimited, which will offer any exclusive games played on ESPN+.
DIRECTV
DIRECTV is one of The Streamable’s top choices for the best live TV streaming service overall in 2026, especially for users who want the most channels or want to watch the most live sports. With an unbeatable lineup of local, news, sports, and entertainment channels, three main signature packages, an unlimited DVR, and 20 simultaneous streams at home, DIRECTV remains a premier choice for any cord-cutter.
Fubo
There are benefits and drawbacks to using Fubo to watch the 2026-27 NHL season. The streamer is the only one besides DIRECTV to offer a long list of regional sports networks, but it does not offer any access to TNT, TBS, or truTV. That means viewers will have to add HBO Max to Fubo if they want to watch nationally broadcast games on those channels.
Fubo’s Pro and Elite plans are the packages to seek out if viewers are looking for RSNs. Each has 200+ channels total, including broadcast channels and a ton of sports options. Fubo’s Pro plan is $89 per month, and the Elite plan is $99 per month, but both come with an RSN fee that will boost the price over $100 monthly. Each package comes with ESPN Unlimited, which unlocks all exclusive games on ESPN+.
Fubo
Fubo is a live TV streaming service offering a robust lineup of approximately 150 premier channels, with plans starting at $63.99 per month. This entry-level package provides access to local broadcast affiliates 18 of the leading 35 cable channels channels, and valuable regional sports networks (RSNs).
Hulu + Live TV
Hulu + Live TV only offers RSNs for two NHL clubs: the Philadelphia Flyers and San Jose Sharks. The streamer does have ABC, ESPN, and TNT Sports channels, however, and includes ESPN Select along with Disney+ and Hulu, with all packages starting at $90 per month.
Hulu Live TV
Hulu Live TV is a live TV streaming service with more than 70 channels for $89.99 per month. Hulu + Live TV base plan includes local channels 32 of the top 35 cable channels, and regional sports networks (RSNs). Subscribers get free access to Disney+ and ESPN Select at no extra charge.
Sling TV
Sling TV carries ESPN, TBS, and TNT in its Orange package, costing $46 per month. The Orange package also comes with limited-time subscription options called Passes, which allow viewers to subscribe for $5 per day, $10 per three days, or $15 per seven days — great for fans who want to stream just one NHL game on ESPN here and there.
Sling only carries ABC in a small handful of markets, and only in the Blue and Select plans, starting at $46 and $20 per month, respectively. The service offers truTV in the Blue package as well, and NHL Network is included in the Sports Extra add-on pack, but Sling offers no RSN access whatsoever.
Sling TV
Sling TV is The Streamable’s choice for cord-cutters on a budget. Sling is a live TV streaming service with multiple channel packages. The $45.99/month Sling Orange plan offers about 30 channels, including Disney Channel and ESPN. The $45.99/month Sling Blue plan offers about 40 channels, including ABC, Fox, and NBC in major markets.
You can combine Orange+Blue for a total of $60.99 / month. Sling also offers many channel add-on packages starting at $6/month.
YouTube TV
YouTube TV is another service that offers wide access to channels that have national NHL games, but limited availability of regional sports networks. It carries ABC, ESPN, and the TNT Sports channels in its core package at $83 per month, and its Sports Genre Plan starts at $65 per month. The service does not have NHL Network in any package.
YouTube TV carries a selection of NBC Sports RSNs, but these are the only regional sports channels found on the service in 2026. Viewers who want to find their local team’s in-market games will have to seek them on another platform.
YouTube TV
YouTube TV is a live TV streaming service with more than 60 channels for $82.99/month. This plan includes local channels 32 of the top 35 cable channels, and regional sports networks (RSNs) in select markets. The base plan includes more than 100 live channels, including major broadcast networks like ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC, as well as popular cable channels such as ESPN, CNN, FX, USA Network, and TNT. Local channels are included in most markets, making YouTube TV a full replacement for traditional cable for many viewers.
The best direct-to-consumer services for watching NHL games in 2026-27
DAZN
As announced in July, MSG has opted to move all in-market streaming responsibilities for its NHL partner clubs to DAZN for 2026-27. That includes the Buffalo Sabres, New York Rangers, New York Islanders, and New Jersey Devils. The Los Angeles Kings are also streaming in-market on DAZN this season. Viewers can watch the four New York-area hockey clubs with a Season Pass at $119 per year, or a monthly subscription with a regular price of $30. DAZN also offers a Game Pass for $10 each game. Kings access costs $20 per month or $130 per season on DAZN.
DAZN
DAZN is an international sports streaming service dedicated to live and on-demand sports programming. Since its launch in 2016, the platform has expanded to become one of the world’s leading sports streaming destinations, offering coverage that varies by region and includes boxing, soccer, MMA, women’s sports, motorsports, and other major competitions.
ESPN Unlimited
As noted, ESPN+ will offer a selection of exclusive NHL games in 2026. The streamer is once again home to NHL Power Play, the league’s out-of-market streaming home, which is included with ESPN+ at no extra cost. Viewers can sign up for ESPN Select and get all the benefits of ESPN+ for $14 per month or $140 per year.
ESPN Unlimited is the next step up from ESPN Select, and includes all NHL games appearing on ABC and ESPN nationally, as well as everything in an ESPN Select subscription. It starts at $32 per month and can be bundled with Disney+, Hulu, and Fox One.
ESPN Unlimited
ESPN launched its highly anticipated direct-to-consumer streaming service on August 21, 2025. For the first time, this service gives sports fans access to its full lineup of linear channels without a traditional cable or satellite subscription.
HBO Max
HBO Max will offer all live NHL games appearing on TNT, TBS, and truTV in 2026-27. The streamer offers live sports from TNT Sports in its ad-free plans, starting with the Standard plan at $18.49 per month. The Premium plan costs $23 per month and includes features like higher-quality audio and video formats, though these are not always available during live sports. Both plans offer full access to the HBO Max on-demand entertainment library.
HBO Max
HBO Max is a subscription video streaming service that gives access to the full HBO library and exclusive Max Originals. There are hubs for content from TLC, HGTV, Food Network, Discovery, TCM, Cartoon Network, Travel Channel, ID, and more. Watch hit series like “The Last of Us,” “House of the Dragon,” “Succession,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” and more. Within HBO Max, B/R Sports allows users to watch live NBA, MLB, NHL, March Madness, and NASCAR events.
Prime Video
Prime Video is now the local distribution partner for seven NHL clubs in total — the Anaheim Ducks, Carolina Hurricanes, Columbus Blue Jackets, Dallas Stars, Minnesota Wild, St. Louis Blues, and Seattle Kraken. Viewers in the markets of the Ducks, Stars, and Kraken can watch the locally broadcast games of those teams at no additional cost. Hurricanes, Blue Jackets, Wild, and Blues fans will have to pay $20 per month on top of a Prime Video subscription ($9 per month for an ad plan, or included with Amazon Prime) to watch.
Prime Video
Prime Video is a subscription video streaming service that includes on-demand access to 10,000+ movies, TV shows, and Prime Originals like “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power,” “Jack Ryan,” “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” “The Boys,” and more. Subscribers can also add third-party services like Max, Showtime, STARZ, and dozens more with Prime Video Channels. Prime Video also offers exclusive live access to NFL Thursday Night Football.
