The NHL season is long, and hockey is spread across several channels and apps. Some games are national, many are local, and out-of-market games have their own package. Once you know which type of game you want, it's easy to pick the cheapest way to watch without cable.
Rights change and blackout rules apply. Always check the NHL schedule and your team's website for the channel of each game.
The three types of NHL games
1. National games, shown across the US on:
- ESPN and ABC — national games and a share of the playoffs, including the Stanley Cup Final in some years
- ESPN's streaming service — exclusive national games
- TNT and its streaming home — national games and a share of the playoffs, with the Stanley Cup Final in alternating years
2. Local team games — most regular-season games air on a regional sports network or local station in your team's market.
3. Out-of-market games — games of teams outside your area, available through the NHL's out-of-market streaming package (in the US, offered through ESPN's streaming service).
National games: how to watch
- ABC games: free with an HD antenna. See every free way to watch TV.
- ESPN and TNT games: through a live TV service that carries those channels — such as YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Sling or DirecTV Stream (check lineups).
- Streaming exclusives: through ESPN's streaming service or TNT's streaming home.
Your local team: how to watch
Depending on your market, local games may be on:
- A regional sports network — carried by some live TV services, or streamed through the network's own app
- A local broadcast station — some teams now show games free over the air
- A team streaming app — several teams sell their own subscription to fans in the local market
The quickest way to find out: search "[your team name] how to watch" on the team's official site.
Out-of-market fans
If you follow a team from another city, the NHL's out-of-market package streams those games live. Local-market games and some national games are blacked out live, so pair it with the options above.
The cheapest combinations
- Casual fan: antenna for ABC + a month of a live service during the playoffs
- Local-team fan: your team's regional network app or a live service that carries it
- Out-of-market fan: the out-of-market package through ESPN's streaming service
- Playoff-only fan: subscribe from April through June, then cancel
Everything is month to month, so it pays to rotate subscriptions around the parts of the season you care about. Wondering if YouTube TV makes sense for hockey? Read is YouTube TV worth it.
Tips for smooth hockey streams
- Hockey is fast — a wired connection or strong Wi-Fi helps.
- Turn on your TV's motion setting at a low level if the puck looks blurry (see our picture settings guide).
- Use Multiview where available to follow several games on busy nights.
Frequently asked questions
Can I watch NHL games for free?
Games on ABC are free with an HD antenna, and some teams air local games on free over-the-air stations. Other games need a subscription.
Which channels show NHL games?
National games air on ESPN, ABC and TNT and their streaming services. Local games air on regional sports networks, local stations or team apps.
Can I watch my local team on the out-of-market package?
Usually not live. Local-market games are blacked out because they belong to the regional broadcaster.
What's the cheapest way to watch the Stanley Cup playoffs?
Use an antenna for games on ABC and subscribe to a service with ESPN and TNT for just the playoff months.
