How to Watch NHL in Canada Without Cable (2026-27 Guide)

If you want to know how to watch NHL in Canada without cable this season, the short answer is Sportsnet+ for most games, Amazon Prime Video for the new Wednesday night package, and TSN or TVA Sports streaming for certain regional and French-language games. All of them work on a phone, a smart TV or a streaming stick, with no cable contract.

The 2026-27 season is the first year of Rogers’ new 12-year national NHL deal, and the landscape looks different from last year. CBC no longer carries NHL games, Monday nights moved to streaming only, and Prime Video switched from Mondays to Wednesdays. This guide walks through each option and what it costs in CAD.

What changed for NHL fans in Canada in 2026-27

Several things shifted at once this autumn, so it helps to start with the big picture before you pick a subscription.

• Rogers’ new deal began. Sportsnet extended its national rights for 12 years, and The Canadian Press reported the deal at $11 billion.
• CBC is out. For the first time since 1952, NHL games are not on the public broadcaster. Sportsnet’s Saturday show is now called Saturday Night Hockey.
• Monday Night Hockey is streaming only. It is included with Sportsnet+, while cable or satellite customers with Sportsnet need a $12.99 per month add-on.
• Prime Video moved to Wednesdays. Amazon signed a 12-year sublicence for exclusive national Wednesday games plus three playoff series a year.
• Fewer blackouts. Sportsnet says more than 150 games that used to be regionally blacked out now air nationally.

Sportsnet+: the main way to stream NHL games

Sportsnet+ is Rogers’ direct-to-consumer app, and for most Canadian hockey fans it is the core subscription. Prices rose on September 22, 2026. At the time of writing they are:

Prices are before tax. Standard is enough if you follow one of the four Sportsnet regional teams or mostly watch national games. Premium makes sense if you cheer for a US-based club or want to watch out-of-market matchups.

Prime Video Wednesday night hockey

Starting this season, Prime Video holds exclusive national Wednesday night games in English and French. Reports on the deal describe at least 26 regular-season games and at least 12 playoff games, including two first-round series and one second-round series each spring.

These games come with an Amazon Prime membership at no extra cost. Prime is around $9.99 per month in Canada at the time of writing, so it is one of the cheapest pieces of the puzzle. If your team plays a lot of Wednesday games, it is effectively mandatory.

TSN, RDS and TVA Sports for regional and French games

Not every team is on Sportsnet regionally. TSN and RDS still carry some regional games, which has meant the Senators, Jets and Canadiens in recent seasons. Those games stream through TSN’s own subscription, which Daily Hive listed at around $29.99 per month or $244.99 per year in July 2026.

For French-language viewers, TVA Sports secured French national rights for 12 years through a sublicence with Rogers. TVA Sports offers its own streaming option, so check the current price on its site. If you live in Quebec, RDS and TVA Sports together cover most Canadiens games.

Sample streaming setups by team

Here is a practical way to think about it. Prices are approximate and change often.

1. Leafs, Oilers, Flames or Canucks fan: Sportsnet+ Standard plus Amazon Prime. You get regional games, national nights and Prime Wednesdays.
2. Senators or Jets fan: TSN streaming for regional games, Sportsnet+ Standard for national games, plus Prime.
3. Canadiens fan: RDS or TVA Sports for French coverage, or Sportsnet+ and Prime for English national games.
4. Fan of a US team: Sportsnet+ Premium for out-of-market games, plus Prime.
5. Playoffs only: Sportsnet+ Standard for the spring, plus Prime for its three series.

For more league-wide detail, including the US side of the schedule, see our NHL 2026-27 viewing guide.

Devices and internet you need

Sportsnet+, TSN and Prime Video all run on major smart TVs, Apple TV, Google TV, Roku, Fire TV, iOS and Android. If your TV is older, a cheap streaming stick is the easiest fix; our best streaming device guide compares the current options.

For smooth HD hockey, aim for a stable connection of at least 15 to 25 Mbps per stream, and use a wired connection or a strong Wi-Fi signal near the TV. Hockey is fast, so a choppy connection is more noticeable than with a drama series.

Avoiding the risky shortcuts

You will see websites and sellers promising every NHL game for a few dollars. Many of those streams are unlicensed, which can mean poor reliability, payment risk and legal trouble. The technology behind IPTV is legal, but services that rebroadcast Sportsnet or TSN without a licence are not. Our guide to IPTV legality in Canada explains the difference.

If you also want a general live TV package for news, entertainment and international channels, our own plan, IPTV Journal, costs $89 for 12 months on all devices; you can see the details on our pricing section. For NHL games specifically, the licensed services above are the reliable route, and blackout rules should be respected rather than bypassed.

Which option should you choose?

For most fans, Sportsnet+ Standard plus Amazon Prime covers the large majority of the season for roughly $45 a month. Add Premium only if you follow a team outside Canada, and add TSN or TVA Sports streaming if your team’s regional rights sit with Bell or you prefer French broadcasts.

If you only care about the playoffs, subscribe monthly from April and cancel after the Final. Annual plans save money if you watch from October to June.

FAQ

Can I watch NHL games in Canada for free?

There is no longer a free over-the-air NHL option in Canada, since CBC stopped carrying games in 2026-27. Some services offer occasional free trials or promotions, so check Sportsnet+ and Prime Video for current offers.

Is Hockey Night in Canada still on CBC?

No. CBC and Sportsnet ended their partnership, and Sportsnet’s Saturday broadcast is now called Saturday Night Hockey. It streams on Sportsnet+ Standard.

Do I need Sportsnet+ Premium?

Only if you want out-of-market games, such as a US team’s local broadcasts. Fans of the Leafs, Oilers, Flames or Canucks can usually stick with Standard.

How do I watch Monday Night Hockey without cable?

Monday Night Hockey is now a streaming-exclusive package included with Sportsnet+. Cable customers with Sportsnet need a separate $12.99 per month add-on to watch it.

Are Prime Video’s Wednesday games extra?

No. Amazon says the Wednesday games and playoff series are included with a Prime membership in Canada at no additional cost.

Part of our guides: Canada streaming guide · NHL streaming guide