The 2026 Ice Hockey World Championship kicks off May 15 in Switzerland, featuring 16 countries including defending champions Team USA. The tournament runs until May 31, airing in the U.S. on NHL Network.
Watch Without Cable
For those without cable, several streaming services provide access to the NHL Network. This guide details how to watch the games online.
DIRECTV
DIRECTV offers NHL Network through its MySports genre pack, now available at $44.99/month for the first two months, down from $64.99/month. This pack includes MLB Network, NBA TV, ESPN, FS1, and more than 25 other channels. DIRECTV’s Ultimate and Premier packages also carry NHL Network. Try it with a five-day free trial.
Fubo
Fubo’s Ultra package, usually $83.99/month, is marked down to $53.99 for the first month. It includes NHL Network and over 260 channels. A free trial offers five days of streaming.
Sling
Sling’s Sports Extra package adds NHL Network to any plan for $11/month. Combine it with the $20 Essentials plan for ESPN coverage. Pricing may vary, check Sling.com.
Using VPN to Stream
A VPN can provide access to live feeds from outside the U.S. Use a VPN to stream the championship on IIHF.TV. ExpressVPN offers services starting at $3.49/month. Set your IP to the UK for IIHF TV or Scandinavian countries for Viaplay.
Team Lineup and Expectations
The lineup features notable players like Matthew Tkachuk and team captain Justin Faulk. The U.S. roster also includes Ryan Lindgren and Mathieu Olivier. Notably absent is Jack Hughes. The U.S. hopes to defend its title, won after a 1-0 victory over Switzerland last year.
Group A includes USA, Switzerland, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Austria, Hungary, and Great Britain. Group B has Canada, Sweden, Czechia, Denmark, Slovakia, Norway, Slovenia, and Italy.
Source: https://variety.com/2026/shopping/news/watch-world-hockey-championship-2026-livestream-online-free-1236747574/
