2026 IIHF World Hockey Championship: How to Stream the Action from Anywhere
The 2026 IIHF World Hockey Championship will unfold in Switzerland from May 15 through May 31, bringing together 16 national teams in a high‑stakes international showdown. The tournament’s schedule compresses the usual two‑week format into a tight, action‑packed fortnight, giving fans a concentrated burst of top‑level hockey.
In the United States, the competition will be carried on the NHL Network, a channel that is accessible through a variety of streaming bundles. Viewers can tune in via DIRECTV’s MySports package, which is currently offered at $44.99 per month for the first two months, or through Fubo’s Ultra tier, priced at $53.99 for the opening month. Sling subscribers can add the Sports Extra add‑on for an additional $11 each month to unlock the NHL Network feed.
For those located outside the United States, a virtual private network can bridge the geographic gap. Services such as ExpressVPN enable fans to appear as if they are streaming from a U.S. location, granting access to live feeds on platforms like IIHF.TV and Viaplay that broadcast the games internationally.
Team USA’s Roster and Availability
Team USA enters the tournament as the defending champions, but the roster will be missing several star NHL players who are tied up in the Stanley Cup playoffs. Among the confirmed participants are forward Matthew Tkachuk, defenseman Ryan Lindgren, forward Mathieu Olivier and defenseman Justin Faulk. The squad also includes forward Jack Hughes, who opted to sit out this edition of the World Championship.
The absence of some marquee names creates an opening for emerging talent and depth players to make an impact. While the United States aims to retain its title, the competition will also feature strong contenders from Canada, Sweden, Finland and other hockey‑powerhouses, all vying for the coveted championship trophy.