How Much Does It Cost to Watch Every NHL Game in Canada in 2026-27?

Watching NHL hockey in Canada is becoming an increasingly fragmented and expensive experience, with fans needing multiple subscriptions to follow their favourite teams and access games across the league. The 2026-27 season brings several significant broadcasting changes, including the departure of Hockey Night in Canada from CBC, exclusive Monday night broadcasts on Sportsnet+, and a new Wednesday Night Hockey package on Amazon Prime Video.

CBC’s nearly 75-year relationship with Hockey Night in Canada has ended after Rogers’ sublicensing agreement expired. Sportsnet continues to broadcast Saturday Night Hockey, but fans who previously relied on CBC for free Saturday night coverage must now find another way to watch. The change marks the end of an important Canadian television tradition and another step towards subscription-based sports broadcasting.

Rogers has expanded national NHL coverage for 2026-27, lifting 150 regional blackouts and increasing Sportsnet’s national NHL schedule by 35% to more than 550 games. However, fans still need multiple subscriptions to access every matchup, particularly with Amazon Prime Video securing exclusive Canadian rights to Wednesday Night Hockey and select early-round Stanley Cup Playoff series under a 12-year agreement.

We break down the cost of watching every NHL game, compare subscription requirements for in-market and out-of-market fans, and examine how the broadcasting arrangements affect playoff coverage.

How Much Does It Cost to Watch Every NHL Game in Canada?

The 2026-27 NHL regular season features 1,344 games, with all 32 teams playing 84 times. Canadian fans wanting access to every matchup need to navigate several broadcast agreements, with Sportsnet+, Amazon Prime Video and TSN providing the main English-language coverage.

Using Toronto as the reference market, a viewer wanting to watch every NHL game needs Sportsnet+ Premium for out-of-market coverage, TSN for regional games carried by Bell, and Amazon Prime for exclusive Wednesday Night Hockey broadcasts.

That works out to approximately $57.83 per month when spread across 12 months, or about $1,387.94 for two years.

Sportsnet+ Premium provides the broadest coverage, including eligible out-of-market games involving Canadian and US teams. However, it does not replace TSN when a game is exclusive to a regional TSN broadcast within the viewer’s market. Prime Video is also necessary for its exclusive Wednesday Night Hockey package.

This calculation assumes English-language coverage, standalone annual streaming subscriptions and a Toronto-area viewer. The precise combination can differ depending on where a Canadian subscriber lives, particularly in markets where TSN carries regional games. It also excludes internet costs and any television package a household already pays for.

Case Study: How Much Does It Cost to Watch Every Toronto Maple Leafs Game?

A Toronto-based Maple Leafs fan needs access to Sportsnet, TSN and Amazon Prime Video to watch all 84 regular-season games. The team’s regional coverage is divided between Sportsnet and TSN, while six games are part of Amazon’s exclusive Wednesday Night Hockey schedule.

That works out to approximately $51.58 per month when spread across the year.

Sportsnet+ Standard includes national broadcasts, eligible regional Leafs games and Monday Night Hockey. TSN provides access to additional regional Toronto games, while Prime Video is necessary for the six exclusive Wednesday night matchups.

A Toronto fan does not necessarily need Sportsnet+ Premium because the additional out-of-market coverage is not required to follow the Leafs. However, someone wanting to watch and make NHL picks for teams outside their local market would benefit from upgrading to Premium.

Case Study: How Much Does It Cost to Watch Every Montreal Canadiens Game in Vancouver?

The situation is different for a Vancouver resident who wants to watch every Montreal Canadiens game. Since Montreal is outside Vancouver’s regional broadcast market, Sportsnet+ Premium’s out-of-market coverage becomes particularly valuable.

The combined cost is approximately $37.00 per month when averaged across the year.

Sportsnet+ Premium provides access to eligible out-of-market Canadiens games, including regional broadcasts that would otherwise be unavailable to a viewer in Vancouver. Amazon Prime is also necessary for the seven Montreal appearances on its exclusive Wednesday Night Hockey schedule.

Unlike the Toronto example, this viewer does not need a separate TSN subscription to access Montreal’s regional games because they are outside the Canadiens’ broadcast market. This demonstrates how a fan’s location can have a significant impact on the cost of following an NHL team.

Is Watching the NHL More Expensive in Canada in 2026-27?

The 2026-27 season has made following the NHL more complicated for Canadian viewers, particularly those who previously relied on CBC’s free Hockey Night in Canada broadcasts. While Rogers has lifted 150 regional blackouts and increased national coverage, fans now have to account for additional exclusive streaming arrangements.

Amazon Prime’s Wednesday Night Hockey package adds another subscription consideration. Although Prime members do not pay an additional fee for the NHL broadcasts, viewers who do not already subscribe to Amazon Prime must factor its annual cost into their hockey budget.

The Monday Night Hockey change has also attracted criticism from competing television providers. Cogeco, Eastlink and SaskTel have accused Rogers of “violating competition rules and inflating Canadian sports fans’ bills by moving Monday night hockey broadcasts exclusively to its Sportsnet Plus streaming service for the current NHL season.”

The three providers submitted a complaint to the CRTC, arguing that Rogers’ distribution arrangement disadvantages rival television companies and forces some customers to pay an additional $12.99 monthly fee to access the broadcasts. The charge applies to eligible Sportsnet television subscribers through other providers, while Rogers and Shaw Direct customers with qualifying Sportsnet packages receive access without the additional fee.

Rogers maintains that other television providers have the opportunity to make the exclusive content available to their customers through their own distribution arrangements. The dispute highlights the growing tension between traditional television packages and streaming-exclusive sports rights.

Ultimately, the cost of watching NHL hockey depends on how much coverage a fan wants. Someone following one local team may be able to keep their annual subscription costs below $650, while viewers seeking the broadest possible league coverage face a larger bill and may need additional access depending on their location and television provider.

Sportsnet+: NHL’s Main Streaming Service in Canada

Sportsnet+ remains the central streaming destination for NHL fans in Canada, carrying national broadcasts, regional games and out-of-market matchups depending on the subscription tier.

Sportsnet+ has two main subscription options:

Sportsnet+ Standard includes national NHL coverage and eligible regional games. It is the more affordable option for fans primarily interested in their local team and nationally televised matchups.

Sportsnet+ Premium includes everything in Standard, along with out-of-market NHL games. This makes it particularly useful for Canadians who want to follow teams outside their local broadcast region. Premium also provides access to additional features, including home and away broadcast feeds.

Both packages include Monday Night Hockey, which became exclusive to Sportsnet+ beginning in October 2026. However, Premium is not a universal pass for every NHL game. Games carried exclusively by another broadcaster, including Wednesday Night Hockey on Prime Video, require access to that separate service.

Amazon Prime: Exclusive Wednesday Night Hockey

Amazon Prime Video has become an increasingly important part of NHL coverage in Canada after signing a 12-year sublicensing agreement with Rogers.

Beginning in 2026-27, Prime Video exclusively broadcasts Wednesday Night Hockey in Canada. The schedule includes 27 national regular-season games, with coverage available in English and French.

The games are included with an Amazon Prime membership, meaning subscribers do not have to purchase a separate NHL package.

Wednesday Night Hockey includes six games on the Toronto Maple Leafs schedule, seven on the Montreal Canadiens schedule, and four games each on the Calgary Flames schedule, Winnipeg Jets schedule, and Ottawa Senators schedule.

Prime Video also has exclusive Canadian rights to two first-round Stanley Cup Playoff series and one second-round series every season. This makes Amazon Prime important beyond the regular season, particularly for fans whose teams appear in those exclusive playoff matchups.

TSN: Regional NHL Coverage

TSN remains an important part of the Canadian NHL broadcasting landscape, particularly for fans of teams with regional games on the network.

The network carries regional NHL coverage, including Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, Ottawa Senators and Winnipeg Jets games in their respective broadcast markets.

A standalone TSN streaming subscription provides access to its live sports channels without requiring a traditional cable package. Its current advertised streaming prices are $29.99 per month or $249.99 annually.

TSN is not a replacement for Sportsnet+ because the two services carry different NHL games. A Toronto fan, for example, needs both subscriptions to follow every Leafs regular-season game, depending on the broadcast schedule.

Out-of-market fans generally do not need TSN to watch regional games from another Canadian market when those games are available through Sportsnet+ Premium.

Are NHL Games Still Subject to Blackouts in Canada?

Regional blackouts have been a longstanding frustration for Canadian NHL fans, particularly those who subscribe to streaming services expecting access to every game.

Rogers announced that it would lift 150 regional blackouts for the 2026-27 season, increasing the number of nationally available games on Sportsnet. The network is broadcasting more than 550 games nationally, representing a 35% increase over the previous season.

However, the change does not eliminate every restriction. Sportsnet+ Premium subscribers can access eligible out-of-market games, but regional rights and exclusive broadcasts still determine where individual matchups are available.

For example, a Toronto resident watching a game carried regionally by TSN cannot necessarily access it through Sportsnet+ Premium simply because the subscription includes out-of-market coverage. That game remains subject to the local broadcast arrangement.

Fans should use Sportsnet’s NHL Game Finder to check which service carries a particular matchup before purchasing a subscription. This is especially important for those following teams outside their local market or trying to watch games involving multiple Canadian franchises.

How Much Does It Cost to Watch the Stanley Cup Playoffs in Canada?

The Stanley Cup Playoffs introduce another layer of complexity because the broadcasting arrangements differ from the regular season. Sportsnet carries the majority of playoff coverage, including six first-round series, three second-round series, both conference finals and the Stanley Cup Final.

However, Amazon Prime Video has exclusive Canadian rights to two first-round series and one second-round series each season. Fans following a team in one of those series need an active Prime membership to watch its games.

For viewers who already subscribe to Sportsnet+ and Amazon Prime during the regular season, there may be no additional subscription expense when the playoffs begin. Sportsnet carries the majority of the postseason, while Prime members can access its exclusive series without paying for a separate NHL add-on.

The cost becomes more complicated for fans who only subscribe to one service or who cancel their subscriptions after the regular season. Someone relying exclusively on Sportsnet+ may miss the playoff series carried by Prime Video, while Prime alone does not provide access to the majority of the postseason.

The most straightforward approach for fans wanting comprehensive playoff coverage is to maintain access to both Sportsnet+ and Amazon Prime. Traditional television subscribers should also check their channel packages and the availability of the exclusive Prime series.

NHL Streaming Costs in Canada: FAQs

How much does Sportsnet+ cost in Canada?

Sportsnet+ Standard costs $34.99 per month or $269.99 annually in Canada. Sportsnet+ Premium costs $44.99 monthly or $344.99 annually and includes out-of-market NHL games. Premium is the more comprehensive option for fans who want to follow teams outside their regional broadcast area.

Can you watch every NHL game on Sportsnet+?

No, Sportsnet+ does not provide access to every NHL game in Canada. Although Premium includes eligible out-of-market games and extensive national coverage, exclusive broadcasts on Amazon Prime Video require a separate membership. Regional broadcast rights can also affect which games are available to subscribers.

Do you need Amazon Prime to watch NHL games in Canada?

Yes, if you want to watch Wednesday Night Hockey, you need an Amazon Prime membership. Prime Video exclusively broadcasts 27 national regular-season games in Canada during 2026-27, including six Toronto Maple Leafs games and seven Montreal Canadiens games. Prime also carries exclusive early-round Stanley Cup Playoff series.

Does CBC still broadcast Hockey Night in Canada?

No, CBC no longer broadcasts Hockey Night in Canada beginning with the 2026-27 NHL season. The change follows the expiration of its sublicensing agreement with Rogers, ending a relationship that lasted nearly 75 years. Sportsnet continues to carry Saturday Night Hockey, but viewers need access to its broadcasts through an available television or streaming package.

Can you watch NHL playoff games with Sportsnet+?

Sportsnet carries the majority of Stanley Cup Playoff games, including the conference finals and Stanley Cup Final. However, Amazon Prime Video exclusively broadcasts two first-round series and one second-round series in Canada each season. Fans wanting comprehensive playoff coverage should have access to both services.