Easy methods to watch the 2025-26 NHL hockey season with out cable
Twine-cutting is a difficult proposition for any sports activities fan, however puckheads simply might need it the worst. Not like the NFL, which broadcasts most of its video games on channels out there over the air in each main U.S. metropolis, the NHL’s TV schedule nonetheless leans closely on cable and subscription platforms.
For the 2025-26 season, ABC, ESPN, ESPN+, Hulu, and TNT will air a mixed 172 nationally televised video games in the course of the common season, with solely ABC’s video games out there over the air. ESPN will stream its video games through its direct-to-consumer app, whereas TNT’s protection will stream on HBO Max. For the Stanley Cup Ultimate, ABC holds unique broadcast rights in even-numbered years resembling 2026, so the total Ultimate sequence might be on over-the-air tv (and simulcast through ESPN). However to comply with your native staff, you’ll nonetheless want entry to its regional or in-market broadcaster, which varies by staff.
That’s a tall order, however not an inconceivable one. We’ve put collectively a information to all of your choices, so you may catch each sport that issues to you.
Watch hockey over the air
Most streaming providers promote ABC as being included of their subscription packages, however its precise availability will rely in your native market (most providers supply a straightforward approach to verify availability primarily based in your zip code). Within the occasion the community shouldn’t be out there to stream in your space, take into account selecting up an over-the-air antenna to succeed in your native ABC affiliate. Try one of the best picks by class in our information to one of the best TV antennas for cord-cutters.
ESPN and ESPN+ will host common season broadcasts with ABC, Hulu, and TNT.
ESPN
Sling TV
Sling TV provides ESPN and TNT, and you will get them collectively within the Sling Orange bundle for $45.99 a month. You may spherical out your hockey protection with the NHL community with the Sports activities Additional bundle for a further $11 a month.
Sling TV sometimes contains machine reductions with pay as you go commitments. Test the present promotions—they modify ceaselessly—however you may normally anticipate some mixture of streaming-device offers or introductory reductions whenever you join.
DirectTV Stream
DirectTV Stream provides ABC, ESPN, and TNT in its Leisure bundle for $84.99 a month. You may get the NHL Community as nicely by upgrading to the Final bundle for $119.99 a month. DirecTV Stream ceaselessly runs promotional reductions on its plans, so verify for present provides when signing up.
DirectTV Stream can be a terrific option to comply with your native staff’s broadcasts. Over the previous couple of years, Sling TV, FuboTV, YouTube TV, and Hulu + Stay TV have all dropped varied regional sports activities networks from their product choices. DirectStream TV is the one service to supply a full complement of regional sports activities networks, together with the NBC Sports activities regional networks, Mid-Atlantic Sports activities Community, New England Sports activities Community, YES Community, and Spectrum SportsNet LA. It additionally provides ESPN, FS1, TBS, and MLB Community.
FuboTV
Sports activities-centric streaming service FuboTV provides ABC and ESPN, in its $84.99-per-month Professional bundle. That features limitless Cloud DVR house that can be utilized for recording video games, so that you don’t miss a minute of motion. You may add the NHL Community with the Sports activities Lite add-on for $10.99 a month.
A Hulu + Stay TV subscription provides you ABC, ESPN and TNT of their single one-size-fits-all providing.
Hulu
Hulu + Stay TV and YouTube TV
Each Hulu + Stay TV and YouTube TV supply dwell TV providers for a flat price, and each embrace ABC, ESPN, and TNT of their base packages. Hulu + Stay TV presently prices $82.99 a month with adverts ($89.99 efficient October 21) or $95.99 with out adverts ($99.99 efficient October 21), and the plan additionally contains entry to Disney+ and ESPN+. That provides hockey followers an edge, since many out-of-market NHL video games stream solely on ESPN+. YouTube TV is $82.99 a month and likewise contains limitless DVR storage.
ESPN Streaming
Out-of-market NHL video games can be found via ESPN’s new direct-to-consumer service, which launched in August 2025. The Choose tier (basically the legacy ESPN+) carries dwell out-of-market video games, on-demand replays, and unique NHL protection for $11.99 a month. Hockey followers who additionally need entry to ESPN’s linear channels and simulcasts of ABC video games can improve to the Limitless tier, which prices $29.99 a month. Each tiers might be bundled with Hulu and Disney+.
Catch all of the motion on the ice
Whereas streaming hockey can nonetheless require a little bit of juggling, followers have extra respectable choices than ever. With nationwide broadcasts unfold throughout main platforms and each out-of-market sport out there to stream, following the NHL now not is determined by a cable subscription. The panorama will maintain evolving, however for cord-cutters the path is lastly headed in the best path.
