Yes. NHL games are available on ESPN platforms in the United States under the league’s current national media-rights agreement with ESPN, which began with the 2021–22 season and runs through the 2027–28 season. Depending on the game, you may be able to watch on ESPN, ABC, ESPN+, or another listed platform. The exact channel and streaming option vary by matchup and date.
One important distinction: ESPN+ is not the same as the ESPN cable channel. Some games are included with ESPN+, while games shown on ESPN or ABC may require access to those channels through a TV provider or a live-TV streaming service that carries them. Check the official schedule before game time to confirm where a particular matchup is airing.
Will NHL Be on ESPN During the 2025–26 Season?
ESPN is part of the NHL’s U.S. national broadcast lineup during the current rights agreement, so NHL coverage is expected on ESPN platforms during the 2025–26 season. The league’s national games are divided among its media partners, however; ESPN does not carry every NHL game.
ESPN’s coverage can include nationally televised regular-season games, playoff games, and other NHL programming. ABC is also part of ESPN’s coverage arrangement. Which games appear on each outlet depends on the league’s schedule and the broadcasters’ selections.
For a specific game, look at the NHL schedule, the ESPN schedule, or the team’s official schedule. Listings identify the broadcaster and are the most dependable way to confirm whether a game is on ESPN, ABC, ESPN+, or another service. Broadcast plans can change, so confirm close to game day if you are making plans to watch.
Which ESPN Platforms Show NHL Games?
NHL games associated with ESPN may be available through several different outlets. The platform listed for a game determines what you need to watch it.
ESPN and ABC
ESPN and ABC carry selected nationally televised NHL games. If a game is listed on the ESPN channel, viewers generally need a TV package that includes ESPN, either through a traditional cable or satellite provider or a participating live-TV streaming service. Games shown on ABC are available through the network’s broadcast channel where accessible, as well as through certain TV services.
Access rules depend on your provider and location. Check the provider’s channel lineup rather than assuming that a subscription to an ESPN streaming product automatically includes every game airing on the ESPN cable channel.
ESPN+
ESPN+ carries NHL programming, including many out-of-market regular-season games, subject to availability and blackout restrictions. It can be a useful option for fans who want to follow teams outside their local market.
ESPN+ does not necessarily include every game shown on ESPN or ABC. A game’s listing will indicate whether it is available on ESPN+, or whether you need a different way to access it. Subscription terms and the selection of available games can change, so check the current ESPN+ plan details and schedule before subscribing for a particular matchup.
The ESPN App
The ESPN app can provide live viewing when your account has the right access for the game. Depending on the broadcast, that may mean signing in with a TV provider, having an eligible ESPN+ subscription, or both. Downloading the app alone does not provide access to every live NHL broadcast.
Before puck drop, open the game listing in the app and review its access requirements. This can help prevent confusion between a game that is included with ESPN+ and one that requires a TV provider login.
Does ESPN+ Have Every NHL Game?
No single ESPN platform should be treated as a source for every NHL game. ESPN+ carries a selection of NHL games, including out-of-market matchups, but national exclusives, local restrictions, and games assigned to other broadcasters affect what is available.
In particular, out-of-market access is different from local-game access. A game involving a team in your local viewing area may be subject to a blackout, even if similar games from other markets are available on ESPN+. Blackouts are based on broadcast rights and location, and the rules can vary by game.
Nationally televised games may also have separate access requirements. If a game is assigned to ESPN or ABC, it may not be available to watch live through ESPN+ in the same way as an out-of-market game. Always check the game’s listing and the current blackout information for your location.
How to Find an NHL Game on ESPN
Use these steps to check whether a specific NHL game will be on ESPN and how to watch it:
- Find the matchup and start time. Use the NHL schedule or your team’s official schedule.
- Check the listed broadcaster. Look for ESPN, ABC, ESPN+, or another network or service.
- Confirm the required access. ESPN and ABC broadcasts may require a TV provider or a service that carries the channel. ESPN+ games require an eligible ESPN+ subscription.
- Check local restrictions. Review blackout notices if you are trying to watch a local team through ESPN+.
- Verify the listing on game day. Check the ESPN app or the broadcaster’s schedule in case of a change.
This is especially helpful when a game is promoted as an “ESPN game.” That phrase might refer to the ESPN channel, ESPN+, the ESPN app, or multiple ways to view a broadcast. Confirm the exact platform instead of relying on the network name alone.
Is Every NHL Game on ESPN?
No. ESPN is one of several national media partners for NHL games in the United States, and its coverage is limited to the games assigned to its platforms. Other games may appear on another national broadcaster, on a regional sports network, or through a team’s local broadcast arrangement.
That means an ESPN+ subscription by itself may not be enough to watch every game involving your favorite team. The right option depends on whether the matchup is nationally televised, considered local to you, or available as an out-of-market game. Check the schedule and local viewing information for each game.
Will NHL Playoff Games Be on ESPN?
Yes, ESPN platforms are part of the NHL’s U.S. national playoff coverage during the current rights agreement. The league’s postseason is shared among its national broadcast partners, so the network carrying a playoff game depends on the series, round, and schedule.
Do not assume that every playoff game will be on ESPN or ESPN+. Some games are assigned to other broadcasters, and access can differ from the regular season. For each matchup, confirm the channel or streaming service in the NHL playoff schedule and the broadcaster’s listing.
How Long Will NHL Games Be on ESPN?
The NHL’s current U.S. media-rights agreement with ESPN runs through the 2027–28 season. That agreement is why ESPN platforms remain part of the league’s national broadcast lineup during that period.
This does not guarantee that a particular game will appear on ESPN, nor does it establish what the broadcast arrangement will be after the agreement ends. Future rights plans may be announced separately. For the latest information about a season or individual game, consult official NHL and ESPN listings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will NHL be on ESPN tonight?
It depends on the day’s schedule. Check the NHL or ESPN schedule for the matchup and look for the listed channel or streaming service. A game may be on ESPN, ABC, ESPN+, or another broadcaster.
Can I watch NHL games on ESPN+ without cable?
You can watch games specifically available through ESPN+ without a traditional cable subscription, provided you have an eligible subscription and the game is not blocked in your area. ESPN+ does not automatically unlock every game shown on the ESPN cable channel.
Can I watch my local NHL team on ESPN+?
Possibly, but local blackout restrictions may apply. Availability depends on your location, the game’s broadcast assignment, and the current rights rules. Check the game listing and blackout information before relying on ESPN+ for a local matchup.
Are NHL games on the ESPN channel and ESPN+ the same?
No. ESPN is a television channel, while ESPN+ is a subscription streaming service. Some games may be available on one, and some may be available through more than one outlet. Check the listing for the exact game you want to watch.
Does ESPN show NHL games in the playoffs?
Yes. ESPN is part of the NHL’s national playoff coverage, but playoff games are shared among broadcasters. The network or service varies by game, so confirm each matchup’s listing.
Will ESPN carry NHL games after 2027–28?
The current agreement runs through the 2027–28 season. Any arrangement after that depends on future rights agreements and official announcements.
Conclusion
Yes, NHL games are on ESPN platforms in the United States, and ESPN’s current agreement with the league runs through the 2027–28 season. The game you want may be on ESPN, ABC, or ESPN+, while other matchups are carried elsewhere. Check the official schedule, confirm the platform, and review local blackout rules to know exactly how to watch.