Hockey Night in Canada 2026: 7 Big Changes Every Fan Must Know
September 28, 2026 · officiel
Hockey Night in Canada has ended after 95 years. Starting with the 2026-27 season, Sportsnet has retired the famous brand, CBC no longer carries NHL games, and games that used to be on TV have moved to streaming apps.
If you’re wondering where your Saturday hockey went, or why your Monday game isn’t on TV anymore, this guide explains the 7 biggest changes and how to keep watching.
Table of Contents
What Happened to Hockey Night in Canada?
Sportsnet and CBC ended their partnership on the Hockey Night in Canada brand. Saturday games now air on Sportsnet as Saturday Night Hockey.
The show still focuses on Canada’s seven NHL teams, and it keeps the familiar faces:
- Ron MacLean (host)
- Elliotte Friedman
- Kevin Bieksa
- Colby Armstrong
The name is new and the channel is different, but it’s the same Saturday night tradition.
7 Big Changes to Hockey Night in Canada and NHL on TV for 2026-27
1. Hockey Night in Canada Is Now “Saturday Night Hockey”
After 95 years, the Hockey Night in Canada name is gone. Saturday games now air as Saturday Night Hockey on Sportsnet, and you can also stream them on Sportsnet+.
2. No More NHL on CBC
CBC’s sublicence ended after the 2025-26 playoffs and wasn’t renewed. That means there’s no free, over-the-air NHL hockey in Canada anymore. Every regular-season game now needs a paid service.
3. Monday Night Hockey Is Now Streaming-Only
Monday Night Hockey has moved to Sportsnet+ only. Even if you get Sportsnet through cable, you’ll need to add Sportsnet+ for $12.99/month to watch Monday games.
It’s hosted by David Amber, with analysts Luke Gazdic and Justin Williams.
4. Wednesday Games Moved to Prime Video
Rogers signed a 12-year deal with Amazon. Prime Video now has exclusive Wednesday Night Hockey in Canada:
- At least 26 national games per season
- In English and French
- Starting Wednesday, September 30, 2026
- Included with Prime at no extra cost
- Plus two first-round series and one second-round series in the Stanley Cup Playoffs every year
Source: NHL.com: Prime Video becomes long-term home of NHL in Canada.
5. More National Games and Fewer Blackouts
Sportsnet says it will air 35% more national games than last season. More than 150 games that used to be blacked out will now air nationally. That’s good news for fans who follow a team from another part of the country.
6. An 84-Game Season
Each team now plays 84 games instead of 82. That’s the first time since 1993-94, with a record 1,344 games league-wide and at least one game almost every night.
7. The Earliest Start in NHL History
The season started on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, the first time the NHL has ever started in September. The regular season ends on April 10, 2027.
Want the full schedule and channels for the Leafs and Senators? See our guide to the NHL in Ontario 2026-27.
Hockey Night in Canada vs. 2026-27: Before and After
| Before (2025-26) | Now (2026-27) | |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday games | Hockey Night in Canada (CBC + Sportsnet) | Saturday Night Hockey (Sportsnet) |
| Free TV (CBC) | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Monday games | Sportsnet (TV) | Sportsnet+ only (streaming) |
| Wednesday games | Sportsnet | Prime Video (exclusive) |
| Games per team | 82 | 84 |
| Season start | October | September 29 |
How to Watch Saturday Night Hockey Now
Hockey Night in Canada fans have a few options for watching Saturday Night Hockey:
- Sportsnet through your TV provider (Rogers, Bell and others)
- Sportsnet+ on a streaming device or smart TV
- Your TV provider’s IPTV app on a Firestick, Android TV or Apple TV
To catch every game, most fans will need a mix of Sportsnet+, Prime Video and TSN for regional games.
What This Means for IPTV Viewers
Canadian hockey is now mostly streamed over the internet. Sportsnet+, Prime Video and TSN+ are all IPTV-style services. If IPTV is new to you, our guide What Is IPTV? explains how it works.
A few tips for smooth hockey nights:
- Use a wired Ethernet connection or 5 GHz Wi-Fi
- Aim for 25 Mbps or more for HD and 50 Mbps for 4K
- Use a fast device like a Fire TV Stick 4K Max, Google TV or Apple TV 4K
To compare services, read our IPTV Canada Guide 2026. Ontario viewers can also check our picks for the best IPTV in Ontario.
Always pick licensed services. They’re more reliable on busy Saturday nights. Learn more in Is IPTV Legal in Canada in 2026?.
FAQ: Hockey Night in Canada 2026
.
Is Hockey Night in Canada cancelled?
Yes, the brand has been retired. Starting in 2026-27, Saturday games air as Saturday Night Hockey on Sportsnet, still hosted by Ron MacLean.
Is the NHL still on CBC?
No. CBC’s NHL sublicence ended after the 2025-26 playoffs, so CBC no longer shows NHL games.
Where can I watch Saturday Night Hockey?
On Sportsnet, through your TV provider or by streaming on Sportsnet+. IPTV Ontario OTT subscribers also get Sportsnet, TSN and RDS in our sports package, so you can watch Saturday Night Hockey, regional Leafs and Senators games and more in one app. See our plans.
Is Monday Night Hockey still on TV?
No. It’s now streaming-only on Sportsnet+. Cable subscribers need to add Sportsnet+ for $16.99/month.
What NHL games are on Prime Video in Canada?
Prime Video has exclusive Wednesday Night Hockey (at least 26 games, in English and French), plus select Stanley Cup Playoff series. It’s included with Prime.
Can I still watch NHL games for free in Canada?
No. With CBC out, every regular-season NHL game in Canada now needs a paid service.
Final Thoughts
The end of Hockey Night in Canada is a big moment for Canadian sports. The Saturday tradition carries on as Saturday Night Hockey, but hockey in Canada now lives across Sportsnet, Sportsnet+, Prime Video and TSN, and almost all of it streams.
Get your IPTV setup right and you won’t miss a game. Check the NHL in Ontario 2026-27 guide for Leafs and Senators dates and channels.
Sources: NHL.com, the Rogers and Prime Video announcement (July 28, 2026), and the Sportsnet 2026-27 broadcast announcement. Last updated: September 28, 2026.
[…] The 2026-27 season has more games and fewer blackouts than ever, but the games are spread across more apps. To enjoy the NHL in Ontario this season, know which night your game is on, choose the right service, and use a fast, stable IPTV setup. […]