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If you are searching for how to watch Hockey Night in Canada this season, there is a twist: the familiar CBC broadcast is gone. In 2026-27, Saturday NHL games air on Sportsnet under a new name, Saturday Night Hockey, and you can stream them with Sportsnet+ without cable. CBC no longer carries NHL games for the first time since 1952.
The good news is that the core of the show remains: Saturday nights still focus on the seven Canadian teams, and Ron MacLean still hosts. This guide explains what changed, how to watch Saturday games now, and what it costs.
What happened to Hockey Night in Canada?
Rogers’ new 12-year national NHL rights deal started in 2026-27. As part of the transition, Sportsnet and CBC ended their partnership on the Hockey Night in Canada brand. The Canadian Press reported that CBC no longer broadcasts any NHL games this season, and that CBC is expected to fill weekend slots with other sports such as PWHL games and curling.
Sportsnet kept the Saturday slot and relaunched it as Saturday Night Hockey. Ron MacLean hosts a panel with Elliotte Friedman, Kevin Bieksa and Colby Armstrong. The Hockey Night in Canada Punjabi Edition was also cancelled after 18 years.
Where Saturday games air now
Here is a quick summary of the Saturday picture compared with recent seasons.
| Before 2026-27 | 2026-27 season | |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Hockey Night in Canada | Saturday Night Hockey |
| TV channels | CBC and Sportsnet | Sportsnet |
| Free over the air | Yes, on CBC | No |
| Streaming | CBC Gem and Sportsnet+ | Sportsnet+ |
| French | TVA Sports | TVA Sports |
The main practical change is that you can no longer watch Saturday games for free with an antenna or CBC Gem. You need Sportsnet through a TV provider or a Sportsnet+ subscription.
How to stream Saturday Night Hockey without cable
The simplest route is Sportsnet+ Standard. Here is how to get set up.
- Go to the Sportsnet+ site or download the app on your phone, smart TV or streaming device.
- Choose Standard at $34.99 per month or $269.99 per year (prices from September 22, 2026, before tax).
- Sign in on your TV app. Saturday games appear live in the schedule.
- If you follow a US-based team, consider Premium at $44.99 per month for out-of-market games.
If you already pay for Sportsnet through a cable, satellite or IPTV provider like Rogers, Bell Fibe or Telus, you can usually sign in to the Sportsnet app with those credentials at no extra cost.
Watching in French
French-language national NHL rights are now with TVA Sports for 12 years, through a sublicence between Rogers and Quebecor. Saturday games in French air on TVA Sports, which offers its own streaming option. Check the current price on TVA Sports’ site.
What about Wednesdays, Mondays and the playoffs?
Saturdays are only part of the national schedule. If you want a full season of Canadian team games, keep these in mind:
- Wednesday: exclusive national games on Prime Video, included with Amazon Prime.
- Monday: Monday Night Hockey is now streaming-only on Sportsnet+.
- Playoffs: Sportsnet carries most series, while Prime Video has three series a year.
Our guide to NHL viewing options for 2026-27 covers the full weekly schedule.
Watching with a TV provider instead
Not everyone wants to cut the cord completely. If you keep a TV package from Rogers, Bell, Telus, Videotron, Cogeco or another provider, check that it includes the Sportsnet channels. Most sports tiers do, and you can then stream Saturday Night Hockey in the Sportsnet app by signing in with your provider account.
The catch this season is Monday Night Hockey. Because it is now a streaming-exclusive package, cable customers with Sportsnet need a separate add-on at $12.99 per month to watch it, while Sportsnet+ subscribers get it included. If you watch both Saturdays and Mondays and rarely use the rest of your cable package, Sportsnet+ on its own may now be the better deal.
A typical Saturday night schedule
Saturdays have traditionally featured an early game in the 7 p.m. ET window and a late game for Western teams around 10 p.m. ET, and Sportsnet’s opening night in 2026-27 followed that doubleheader pattern. Exact matchups and times vary each week, so check the Sportsnet schedule on Friday to plan your evening.
Getting the best picture on Saturday nights
Saturday doubleheaders mean five or six hours of streaming, so a reliable setup matters. A modern streaming stick connected to Ethernet or strong Wi-Fi will beat an older smart TV app. Our streaming device comparison covers the current models, and our guide to buffering explains how to fix stutter.
Stay with licensed sources. Unofficial “HNIC live” streams found on social media are not authorized, and many are full of pop-ups or malware.
Is the Saturday experience still worth it?
For most fans, yes. Saturday Night Hockey keeps the Canadian-team focus, the familiar host and national games, and Sportsnet says it has lifted more than 150 regional blackouts this season. The cost is the bigger change: what was once free on CBC now needs a Sportsnet subscription.
If budget is tight, consider subscribing monthly from January to the end of the playoffs, when the races heat up, rather than paying for the full year.
FAQ
Is Hockey Night in Canada still on CBC in 2026-27?
No. CBC does not carry NHL games this season, and Sportsnet’s Saturday broadcast is now called Saturday Night Hockey.
Can I watch Saturday hockey games on CBC Gem?
No. Because CBC no longer has NHL games, they are not on CBC Gem. Saturday games stream on Sportsnet+.
Is Ron MacLean still hosting?
Yes. Ron MacLean hosts Saturday Night Hockey with Elliotte Friedman, Kevin Bieksa and Colby Armstrong on the panel.
How much does it cost to watch Saturday Night Hockey?
Sportsnet+ Standard is $34.99 per month or $269.99 per year at the time of writing. If you already get Sportsnet from a TV provider, you can stream it in the Sportsnet app with no added cost.
Is there a free way to watch Saturday games?
There is no free, legal over-the-air option this season. Look for official free trials or promotions from Sportsnet+ instead of unofficial streams.
Part of our guides: Canada streaming guide · NHL streaming guide
