How to watch NHL 2025/26: live stream every game, TV channels

Watch NHL 2025/26 live streams as hockey teams from the US and Canada clash on the ice once more on the quest for the Stanley Cup. Below we have all the info on how to watch NHL hockey from anywhere in the world with details on worldwide TV channels, broadcasters and streaming online.

You have to go back over 40 years and Al Arbour's New York Islanders to find the last NHL team to win three championships in a row, which means the weight of history is on the shoulders of Paul Maurice as he tries to take his Florida Panthers to the Stanley Cup three-peat. They'll have to do the bulk of the work, however, without captain Aleksander Barkov who will miss much of the regular season with a knee injury.

Despite the Finn's absence, the Panthers still start the season as among the favorites, with the Carolina Hurricanes, Colorado Avalanche, Dallas Stars, and the franchise beaten in the last two finals, the Edmonton Oilers, all expected to go deep into the postseason. And after Mitch Marner's high profile move to Sin City, the Vegas Golden Knights are also expected to be in the picture.

Here's where to watch NHL 2025/26 live streams online from anywhere.

Can I watch NHL in 2025/26 for free?

While you'll be able to tune in to NHL games through local stations and occasionally through ABC nationally, there's no free NHL coverage in the US.

In fact, NHL is tightly controlled behind paywalled channels the world over. So, with the exception of any free trials that may be on offer from certain streamers such as YouTube TV (5-day free trial), we're not aware of many free NHL coverage this season.

One of the only exceptions we've found is ProSieben Maxx in Germany, which has the rights to show one regular season game per week.

Use a VPN to watch any NHL 2025/26 stream

How to watch NHL 2025/26 live streams in the US

National coverage of the 2025/26 NHL season is shared between an array of TV channels and streaming services, including ABC, ESPN (on TV and through the ESPN app), TNT and Hulu. Between them they will show 172 regular season games.

If you're a cord cutter, Sling TV is an OTT service that gives access to a good proportion of televised games. Its Sling Orange package ($4.99 a day, $14.99 a week, $45.99 a month) carries ESPN and TNT. Go for an Orange + Blue plan for $66 per month ($35 for first month) and you'll get access to ABC in selected cities, too.

Regionally, the official NHL website says that more than 1,050 out-of-market games will be available to watch this season through the ESPN streaming service, while the NHL Network will broadcast certain encounters outside of local markets (not streamable on ESPN).

This season's Stanley Cup Final is to be broadcast exclusively by the Walt Disney Company this season.

How to watch NHL 2025/26 live streams in Canada

Like it is south of the border, there's a diverse range of broadcasters showing 2025/26 NHL games in Canada, with Sportsnet (and its Sportsnet+ streaming platform), Amazon Prime Video and TVA sharing out national games.

If you're unable to watch the game you want due to geo-blocking restrictions, remember that a VPN is all you need to tune back in to your preferred NHL coverage wherever you are.

How to watch NHL 2025/26 live streams in the UK

The most comprehensive NHL coverage in the UK comes courtesy of NHL.TV on DAZN, which will show every minute of every regular season, playoff and Stanley Cup game. You can pay from £19.99 per month or get a full season pass for £109.99.

Premier Sports will also show a large amount of games across the season. It costs £16.99 on a rolling monthly basis or, to save money, you can commit to a year for £11.99 per month or one upfront payment of £120.

Not in the UK right now? To access your usual streaming service from outside the UK, you'll need to download a good VPN, as detailed above.

How to watch NHL 2025/26 live streams in Rest of World

NHL.TV is the National Hockey League's dedicated streaming service, which allows die-hard hockey fans to watch every single game, including the playoffs and Super Bowl.

It's available via DAZN in a massive range of countries, from Albania to Zimbabwe. Prices vary from country to country and get progressively cheaper throughout the season – head to the NHL website to see the full list of supported territories.

Many countries also show games on TV and online through their domestic broadcasters:

Africa

Americas

Europe

Asia

Oceania

When does the 202/26 NHL season start?

The 2025/26 regular season starts on Tuesday, October 7, 2025 with the defending champions Florida Panthers hosting the Chicago Blackhawks. It runs until Thursday, April 16, 2026.

The regular season is immediately followed by the playoffs, with the Stanley Cup Finals expected to begin in the first week of June, 2026.

Can I watch NHL 2025/26 on my mobile?

The vast majority of broadcasters mentioned in this article have streaming services that you can access through mobile apps or via your phone's browser.

You can also stay up-to-date with the latest NHL news and plays on the official social media channels on X (@NHL), Instagram (@nhl), Facebook (NHL) TikTok (@nhl) and YouTube (@NHL).