The National Hockey League has released its 2026‑27 national television schedule, confirming that 172 games will be broadcast across TNT Sports, ESPN and their associated streaming services. The agreement marks a significant expansion of the league’s presence on cable, broadcast and digital platforms, promising fans unprecedented access to regular‑season action, playoffs and special events.
TNT Sports’ flagship events
Under the deal, TNT Sports will showcase 72 regular‑season contests, headlined by the 2026 Tim Hortons NHL Heritage Classic and the NHL Discover Winter Classic, both of which will be televised live. A doubleheader on September 30 will feature the Pittsburgh Penguins versus the Philadelphia Flyers followed by the Los Angeles Kings taking on the Colorado Avalanche, giving viewers an early‑season showcase of top‑tier matchups.
ESPN’s expansive lineup and digital reach
ESPN will air 100 exclusive games, with 53 of those appearing on either ESPN or ABC and the remaining 47 available through ESPN+, Disney+ and Hulu. The network’s schedule kicks off with an opening‑night tripleheader on September 29, spotlighting the Carolina Hurricanes versus the Florida Panthers, the New York Rangers versus the Boston Bruins, and the Chicago Blackhawks versus the Vegas Golden Knights.
The 2027 Honda All‑Star Weekend, scheduled for February 5‑6, will feature a global 3‑on‑3 tournament that includes teams from Canada, Finland, Sweden, the United States and a World Team, while the All‑Star Skills competition will be broadcast on February 5 at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN, and the All‑Star Game itself will follow on February 6 at 3 p.m. ET on ABC. The Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series will make its debut in Dallas, with the Stars hosting the event at AT&T Stadium on February 20 at 8 p.m. ET.
Playoff coverage will be split between the two partners, with ESPN handling the first three rounds of the 2027 Stanley Cup Playoffs and TNT Sports set to broadcast the 2027 Stanley Cup Final. In addition, ESPN+ and Disney+ will stream 47 exclusive games, and more than 1,050 out‑of‑market contests will be accessible via the NHL Power Play channel on the ESPN App. The Point, ESPN’s NHL studio show, returns for its sixth season, delivering weekly pre‑game analysis on ESPN2 and ESPN+.
Fans can expect a robust digital ecosystem that combines traditional broadcast with on‑demand streaming, ensuring that every game, from the early‑season doubleheader to the final playoff showdown, is reachable across multiple devices. The schedule underscores the league’s commitment to growing its audience while delivering high‑profile events that capture the excitement of the sport.