Hockey fans worldwide are gearing up for another high-octane season as the Carolina Hurricanes defend their Stanley Cup title against stacked contenders across the league. Whether you are cutting the cord or traveling overseas, accessing full coverage requires knowing exactly where games air in your region.
Quick Summary: The 2026/27 NHL season runs from September 29, 2026, through June 2027, featuring national broadcasts on ESPN, TNT, and regional networks globally. Viewers can access free select live streams via 9Now in Australia and ITVX in the United Kingdom, while cord-cutters in North America rely on services like Sling TV, Sportsnet+, or a reliable VPN when traveling abroad.
2026/27 NHL Streaming Quick Reference
| Region | Free Viewing Options | Paid Streaming & Broadcast Partners |
|---|---|---|
| United States | ABC (over-the-air antenna), free trials on Fubo, YouTube TV & Hulu + Live TV | Sling TV, ESPN Unlimited, Max, Fubo, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV |
| United Kingdom | ITVX (select free-to-air games) | Premier Sports, NHL.tv on DAZN |
| Canada | Prime Video (30-day free trial for Wednesday Night Hockey) | Sportsnet+, Prime Video |
| Australia | 9Now / 9Go! (one Friday game per week) | Disney+, Kayo Sports, Foxtel |
Key Storylines Heading Into the 2026/27 Season
The Carolina Hurricanes enter as reigning champions after defeating the Las Vegas Golden Knights in six games, driven by playoff MVP Jordan Staal. Meanwhile, coaching headlines are dominated by Mike Babcock’s return to the bench with the Edmonton Oilers to coach Connor McDavid.
The Florida Panthers enter the campaign fully refreshed with captain Aleksander Barkov returning from injury alongside the dynamic brother duo of Brady and Matthew Tkachuk. Elsewhere, 20-year-old phenom Macklin Celebrini takes over as captain for the San Jose Sharks after nearly leading the franchise back into postseason contention.
How to Watch NHL Live Streams in the U.S.
American broadcast rights remain split between ESPN, ESPN2, ABC, TBS, and TNT. The most budget-friendly cord-cutting option is Sling TV, where the Orange plan covers ESPN channels and the Blue plan covers TBS, TNT, and select local broadcast network affiliates.
For standalone streaming, ESPN Unlimited carries ESPN feeds alongside Disney Plus and Hulu bundle options. TBS and TNT broadcasts stream live on Max, while full cable replacement packages like YouTube TV, Fubo, and Hulu + Live TV carry every primary network.
How to Watch NHL Live Streams in the U.K.
UK hockey enthusiasts can catch select free-to-air games via ITV4 and stream them live on ITVX. For broader game coverage, Premier Sports broadcasts 15 matchups every week alongside European football and rugby properties.
Die-hard fans looking for out-of-market games can subscribe directly to NHL.tv via DAZN, which streams every game live or on-demand throughout the regular season and playoffs.
How to Stream NHL Games in Canada
Canadian coverage is primarily split between Sportsnet and Prime Video. Regional and national game feeds stream across Sportsnet+ via standard or premium subscription tiers, ensuring complete coverage for fans of the Maple Leafs, Oilers, Canucks, and Flames.
Amazon Prime Video holds exclusive rights to Wednesday Night Hockey nationwide. New subscribers can leverage a 30-day free trial to watch mid-week action without immediate commitment.
How to Watch NHL Live Streams in Australia
Australian fans enjoy free coverage once a week through 9Go! and the 9Now digital platform, showing one Friday night game (Saturday morning local time). Full season access is available through Disney Plus or ESPN on Foxtel.
Kayo Sports offers another flexible alternative, delivering ESPN sports content on month-to-month plans with introductory trial options for new account holders.
Unlocking Regional Coverage with a VPN
If you travel outside your home country during the hockey season, geo-blocks may restrict access to your home streaming subscriptions. A Virtual Private Network (VPN) solves this by routing your connection through a server in your home territory.
By connecting to a server in Australia or the UK, international travelers can access free regional feeds like 9Now or ITVX. Leading providers like NordVPN ensure fast connection speeds essential for live sports broadcasting.
2026/27 NHL Special Events & Outdoor Games
The 2026/27 schedule features key international showcases and marquee outdoor matchups throughout the season:
- NHL Global Series Finland: Seattle Kraken vs. Carolina Hurricanes at Veikkaus Arena in Helsinki (Nov 12 & 14, 2026).
- NHL Global Series Germany: Chicago Blackhawks vs. Ottawa Senators at PSD Bank Dome in Dusseldorf (Dec 18 & 20, 2026).
- NHL Heritage Classic: Winnipeg Jets vs. Montreal Canadiens at Princess Auto Stadium (Oct 25, 2026).
- NHL Winter Classic: Utah Mammoth vs. Colorado Avalanche at Rice-Eccles Stadium (Dec 31, 2026).
- NHL Stadium Series: Dallas Stars vs. Las Vegas Golden Knights at AT&T Stadium (Feb 20, 2027).
Frequently Asked Questions
Which platforms stream NHL games for free?
Fans in Australia can stream one Friday game weekly on 9Now, while UK viewers can watch select games free on ITVX. In the US, over-the-air ABC broadcasts are free with an antenna, and services like Fubo offer free trial periods.
Can I watch NHL games while traveling abroad?
Yes, utilizing a reputable VPN like NordVPN allows you to connect to servers in your home country. This grants seamless access to your existing subscription accounts or free local streaming platforms anywhere in the world.
Where can I stream Wednesday Night Hockey in Canada?
Wednesday Night Hockey broadcasts are exclusively available on Amazon Prime Video in Canada. Viewers can sign up for a 30-day free trial to stream these games live.