How to Watch NHL Network Without Cable in 2026

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Watching NHL Network without cable is possible in 2026, but hockey fans have a more complicated rights landscape to navigate than most sports. NHL Network — the league's 24/7 channel with live games, studio shows, and original programming — is only available on a small number of live TV streaming services. At the same time, ESPN+ has NHL streaming rights for out-of-market games, and local RSNs carry most in-market games. Getting the full picture requires knowing what each piece of the puzzle covers and which services carry NHL Network specifically.

The Hockey Rights Maze: What NHL Network Is (and Isn't)

Before choosing a streaming service, it helps to understand how NHL broadcasting rights are split across multiple channels and platforms:

NHL Network is the league's own cable channel. It broadcasts nationally televised regular-season games not airing on ESPN/ABC or TNT/TBS, early-season and late-season overflow games, Stanley Cup Playoff games in select rounds, NHL Draft coverage, trade deadline coverage, the World Junior Championship, and year-round hockey studio programming. If you want access to NHL Draft night, the World Juniors, and games that don't make the national cable schedule, NHL Network is the channel to have.

ESPN and ABC carry a significant portion of the national NHL schedule. Regular-season Wednesday Night Hockey, playoff games including some conference finals games, and a share of the Stanley Cup Finals air on ESPN and ABC. ESPN+ carries out-of-market games for subscribers — if a game isn't on your local RSN and isn't on a national network that night, it typically streams on ESPN+.

TNT and TBS air the other half of national playoff games and some regular-season packages. The Stanley Cup Finals is split between ABC/ESPN and TNT/TBS on alternating years (or shared across rounds in some seasons).

Local RSNs carry the majority of in-market regular-season games — typically 70–80 games per team per season. RSN availability on streaming services is limited and varies by region.

Which Streaming Services Carry NHL Network in 2026?

NHL Network is available on two major live TV streaming services: FuboTV and DirecTV Stream. Sling TV, Hulu + Live TV, and YouTube TV do not carry NHL Network. This narrower availability compared to other sports channels makes NHL Network one of the more restrictive channels in the streaming space.

FuboTV

FuboTV includes NHL Network on all its plans without an add-on. The Pro plan at $84.99/month also includes ESPN (for Wednesday Night Hockey and ABC playoff games), local channels, and 1,000 hours of cloud DVR. The significant gap: FuboTV does not carry TNT or TBS, which means Stanley Cup Playoffs games airing on TNT are unavailable. For the playoffs specifically, you'd need to add a Max subscription separately to fill in the TNT game windows, or switch to DirecTV Stream.

DirecTV Stream

DirecTV Stream's Choice plan ($84.99/month) is the most complete single-subscription hockey option. It includes NHL Network, TNT, TBS, ESPN, ABC, and the best regional sports network coverage of any streaming service. For fans whose local team is on a Bally Sports RSN or another regional channel, DirecTV Stream is more likely to carry it than FuboTV. The tradeoffs: only 20 hours of DVR by default, no 4K, and pricing is equivalent to FuboTV without FuboTV's sports-focused interface advantages.

ESPN+

ESPN+ ($10.99/month) gives you out-of-market NHL games — games not airing on your local RSN or a national broadcast that night. It does not include the NHL Network channel. If you're primarily interested in following teams outside your local market and don't need NHL Network's programming or games, ESPN+ is the most affordable option. It works well as an add-on to a live TV service, or on its own for fans who primarily watch out-of-market matchups.

Sling TV, Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV: NHL Network Not Available

None of these three services carry NHL Network. Sling TV does carry ESPN and TNT (on different plans), and YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV carry ESPN, but for the NHL Network channel specifically, FuboTV and DirecTV Stream are the only options.

Local RSN Coverage: The Biggest Variable

For most NHL fans, local RSN games are the bulk of the regular season. Whether a streaming service carries your local team's RSN is often more important than NHL Network availability. Here's the current state of RSN coverage across services:

DirecTV Stream has the broadest RSN coverage, including Bally Sports regional networks in most markets. FuboTV has expanded its RSN coverage but is not comprehensive across all markets. Sling TV, Hulu + Live TV, and YouTube TV have limited or no RSN coverage in most markets after several RSN operators dropped carriage agreements. Checking whether your local team's RSN is available on a specific service requires checking the service's channel guide for your zip code before subscribing.

Is ESPN+ Enough for NHL Fans?

ESPN+ alone is not enough for most hockey fans. It covers out-of-market regular-season games, but it does not include NHL Network, your local RSN games, games airing on ABC or TNT/TBS, or the special events (NHL Draft, World Juniors) that air on NHL Network. For fans who only want to follow teams outside their local market and don't need studio programming, ESPN+ is a valuable add-on. But it is not a replacement for a live TV service with NHL Network.

Best Setups by Hockey Fan Type

The right setup depends on how you watch hockey and what you care most about:

Diehard local-team fan who wants everything: DirecTV Stream Choice ($84.99/month) is the single-subscription answer — NHL Network, TNT for playoffs, ESPN/ABC for national games, and RSN coverage for local games. Add ESPN+ ($10.99/month) for out-of-market game access if needed.

Sports fan who watches multiple sports beyond hockey: FuboTV ($84.99/month) is the stronger all-around sports streaming service, includes NHL Network, and has 4K and a better sports-focused UI. You'll need to add a Max subscription for TNT playoff games.

Out-of-market fan or casual playoff viewer: ESPN+ ($10.99/month) standalone handles out-of-market regular-season games. For playoffs, the major rounds air on ESPN/ABC and TNT/TBS, which require a live TV service. At minimum, a Sling TV Orange plan ($55/month) gives you ESPN and TNT for the postseason.

Device Support

FuboTV and DirecTV Stream both support Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Android TV/Google TV, Samsung Smart TVs, LG Smart TVs, iOS, Android, and web browsers. ESPN+ is available on all the same platforms plus gaming consoles (PlayStation, Xbox).

Frequently Asked Questions

Is NHL Network on Sling TV?

No. Sling TV does not carry NHL Network. Sling carries ESPN (on the Orange plan) and TNT, but the NHL Network channel is not available on any Sling TV plan or add-on package.

Is NHL Network on YouTube TV?

No. YouTube TV does not carry NHL Network. It carries ESPN, ESPN2, and TNT, which cover most national NHL games, but the NHL Network channel is not in YouTube TV's lineup.

What games air on NHL Network?

NHL Network broadcasts regular-season games not airing on ESPN, ABC, TNT, or TBS that night, early-season and late-season overflow games, select Stanley Cup Playoff games in the first round, the NHL Draft (all three rounds), the World Junior Championship, the NHL Trade Deadline show, and year-round studio programming including NHL Now and On the Fly.

Can I watch NHL games for free?

Some NHL games air on ABC, which is available free over-the-air with a TV antenna if you're in range of a local broadcast tower. The NHL does not have a free streaming option for regular season or playoff games beyond what airs on over-the-air broadcast TV.

The Bottom Line

For most hockey fans who want NHL Network without cable, the choice comes down to two services: FuboTV and DirecTV Stream, both at $84.99/month. DirecTV Stream is the stronger choice if RSN coverage or TNT playoff games are important to you — it carries both in a single subscription. FuboTV is the better choice if you want a superior sports streaming interface, 4K live sports, and a large DVR, and can tolerate adding a Max subscription for TNT playoff windows.

If NHL Network is not your priority and out-of-market games are what you're after, ESPN+ at $10.99/month is the most cost-effective add-on. And if you're primarily a playoff viewer who can catch ABC games for free over-the-air, Sling TV Orange ($55/month) gives you TNT playoff coverage at the lowest possible cost — you just won't have NHL Network.

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