NHL games are on ESPN+ because the league’s U.S. media-rights agreement with ESPN includes streaming coverage on the service. ESPN+ carries many regular-season games, including out-of-market matchups, while selected games are exclusive to ESPN’s streaming platform. The arrangement gives fans another way to watch hockey without relying only on a traditional cable channel.
That does not mean every NHL game is available on ESPN+. The channel carrying a matchup depends on the broadcast schedule and the league’s rights agreements, and local blackout restrictions may prevent you from streaming a game in your area. Here’s how the ESPN+ arrangement works and what to check when a game you want to watch isn’t showing up.
Why are NHL games on ESPN+?
The NHL sells media rights to broadcasters and streaming services, which then show games through the platforms included in their agreements. ESPN’s agreement with the league, which began with the 2021–22 season, includes games on ESPN, ABC, and ESPN+. It also gives ESPN+ a major role in streaming regular-season hockey.
In practical terms, ESPN+ lets ESPN distribute games online as well as through its television networks. Some games are available to stream on ESPN+ because they are part of its out-of-market coverage. Other matchups are designated as ESPN+ exclusives, meaning the streaming service is the place to watch them in the United States, subject to local availability rules.
The NHL also has national games carried by other media partners, including TNT. That is one reason the complete schedule is spread across multiple services and channels rather than appearing in one place.
What NHL games does ESPN+ show?
ESPN+ is best known for streaming many regular-season games that are outside a viewer’s local television market. ESPN’s out-of-market offering is presented as NHL Power Play on ESPN+. It can help fans follow teams that are not the primary local team in their area.
The service also carries select games that are exclusive to ESPN+. Those matchups are different from games that air nationally on ESPN or ABC. A game’s availability can depend on the day, the teams involved, the national broadcast schedule, and the viewer’s location.
Out-of-market games
An out-of-market game is one that is not subject to a local broadcast restriction for your location. For example, a fan who lives far from a team’s home market may be able to watch that team’s regular-season games through ESPN+ when they are included in the service’s coverage.
“Out of market” does not mean that every game for every team is guaranteed to be available. Nationally televised games may be handled differently, and local rights can affect access. Check the ESPN+ schedule or the game listing before subscribing specifically for a particular matchup.
ESPN+ exclusive games
Some games are scheduled as ESPN+ exclusives. These are streamed on ESPN+ rather than being available through a local television broadcast or a standard ESPN channel. The game listing should identify the platform carrying the matchup.
Exclusive does not necessarily mean that the game is available to every subscriber in every location. A local blackout or other rights restriction can still apply. If a listing appears but playback is blocked, location-based rights are one possible reason.
Why can’t I watch every NHL game on ESPN+?
NHL broadcasting rights are divided among multiple partners. ESPN and ABC have one set of games, TNT has another, and local broadcasters or regional sports networks may carry games in their markets. Because those rights are split, ESPN+ is not a complete, league-wide pass to every game.
A matchup may be unavailable on ESPN+ for several reasons:
- It is on another national channel. Some games air on ESPN, ABC, or TNT rather than being available as an ESPN+ stream.
- It is subject to a local blackout. A game may be restricted in the market where a local broadcaster has the rights.
- It is not included in ESPN+ coverage. The service’s schedule does not necessarily include every regular-season game.
- The event is subject to different rights rules. National broadcasts and postseason games may follow different availability arrangements from out-of-market regular-season games.
These distinctions matter when choosing a streaming service. Before a game, look at the official NHL schedule, the team’s broadcast information, or the ESPN+ listing to see which channel or platform has the rights in your location.
How NHL blackouts work on ESPN+
A blackout is a restriction that prevents a stream from playing in a particular location because another broadcaster has the local rights to that game. The restriction is generally tied to where you are watching, not simply to the team you support or the billing address on your account.
As a result, a fan may be able to watch a team’s games while traveling outside its local market but be blocked from streaming that same team at home. The exact availability depends on the game and the location. Being an ESPN+ subscriber does not override those rights restrictions.
If you see a blackout message, first confirm that the game is listed as available in your area. Make sure your device’s location settings are enabled and that the app has permission to determine your location. If the location appears wrong, check your device settings and contact ESPN support. Do not assume a technical problem is the cause: the game may simply be restricted in your market.
Do you need cable to watch NHL games on ESPN+?
You do not generally need a cable subscription to use ESPN+. ESPN+ is a paid streaming service that can be accessed through the ESPN app or website with an account and a subscription. That makes it a cord-cutting option for games included in its coverage.
However, an ESPN+ subscription is not the same as access to every channel in the ESPN family. A game shown on ESPN or ABC may require a television subscription or another service that carries that channel, depending on how you watch. A game on TNT requires access to TNT through an eligible television provider or streaming service. Check the specific game’s listing rather than assuming that ESPN+ includes every nationally televised matchup.
How to find an NHL game on ESPN+
To check whether a game is available, open the ESPN app or visit ESPN’s website and search for the matchup. Review the event page for the date, start time, and listed viewing platform. The ESPN+ section of the schedule can also help identify games included with the service.
If you cannot find the game, check the NHL or team schedule for its TV listing. Look for whether the game is on ESPN+, ESPN, ABC, TNT, or a local broadcaster. If it is supposed to stream on ESPN+, update the app, sign in to the correct account, and verify your location settings. For a blackout or account issue that remains unclear, ESPN support can confirm the restriction associated with the event.
Is ESPN+ worth it for NHL fans?
ESPN+ may be useful if you want to follow teams outside your local market or watch the out-of-market games included in its NHL coverage. It can also be a convenient way to stream selected games that are exclusive to the service.
It may not be enough on its own if you mainly want to watch your local team, every nationally televised game, or the full postseason. Local blackouts and games assigned to other networks can leave gaps. Before choosing a subscription, review the upcoming schedule for your team and identify which services carry the games you care about.
In short, NHL games appear on ESPN+ because ESPN holds streaming rights to part of the league’s U.S. schedule. The service offers substantial hockey coverage, but the exact games you can watch depend on the broadcast assignment and your location.
Frequently asked questions
Are all NHL games on ESPN+?
No. ESPN+ carries many regular-season games and selected exclusives, but NHL rights are divided among ESPN, ABC, TNT, and local broadcasters. Some games are not included in ESPN+ coverage.
Why is an NHL game blacked out on ESPN+?
A local broadcaster may hold the rights to show that game in your area. The restriction is based on location and can apply even if you have an ESPN+ subscription.
Can I watch my local NHL team on ESPN+?
It depends on your location and the game’s broadcast rights. Local games may be blacked out on ESPN+, so check the event listing and your team’s broadcast schedule before game time.
Are ESPN and ESPN+ the same thing?
No. ESPN is a television network, while ESPN+ is a streaming service. Some NHL games are carried on ESPN or ABC, while others stream on ESPN+. Access to one does not automatically provide access to the other.
Does ESPN+ include NHL playoff games?
Not necessarily. Postseason games are distributed according to the NHL’s playoff broadcast schedule and rights agreements. Check the listing for each game to see which network or service carries it.
Can I watch NHL games on ESPN+ without cable?
Yes, you can use ESPN+ without cable for games included in the service. Games assigned to ESPN, ABC, TNT, or a local channel may require separate access to that network.
Where can I check whether a game is on ESPN+?
Search for the matchup in the ESPN app or on ESPN’s website, and check the NHL or team schedule for its broadcast listing. Confirm the platform and local availability before the game begins.