HOW TO WATCH NHL IN THE UK (2025/26)

All Ways to Watch NHL in the UK

Ice hockey is growing in popularity in the UK, but watching the NHL still requires a bit more effort than mainstream American sports like the NFL or NBA. The good news: the options that do exist provide excellent coverage, and UK viewers face no blackout restrictions.

Here's every legitimate way to watch NHL ice hockey from Britain:

NHL.TV on DAZN: The Complete Package

In July 2025, the NHL launched a major international streaming partnership with DAZN. NHL.TV is now available exclusively through DAZN in nearly 200 countries outside North America, including the UK. This is the definitive option for serious hockey fans.

NHL.TV Pricing Tiers for UK Subscribers

How to Subscribe to NHL.TV in the UK

1. Visit NHL.TV or the DAZN website
2. Create an account or sign in
3. Choose your subscription tier (Season Pass for best value)
4. Enter UK payment details
5. Download the DAZN app on your device of choice
6. Start watching!

Premier Sports: UK's NHL Broadcaster

Premier Sports is the exclusive UK television broadcaster for the NHL, holding rights until at least the end of the 2025/26 season. If you prefer watching on traditional TV channels rather than pure streaming, this is your option.

How to Get Premier Sports

Complete Price Comparison

*10-month season (October-June, no payments July-August)

Which Should You Choose?

• Hardcore hockey fan who wants every game: NHL.TV Season Pass (£109.99)
• Casual fan who wants regular hockey: Premier Sports (£11.99/month annual)
• Want to try before committing: Premier Sports free trial
• Following one specific team: NHL.TV (worth it for on-demand replays)

NHL Game Times in the UK

This is the biggest challenge for UK hockey fans. Most NHL games are played in the evening across North American time zones, which means they fall in the middle of the night for British viewers.

Typical Game Times (GMT/BST)

Best Times for UK Viewers

• Saturday matinee games: Rare but occasional 1pm ET starts (6pm GMT)
• Sunday afternoon games: Some start earlier for US TV ratings
• Follow East Coast teams: Boston, New York, Toronto games start at 7pm ET (midnight UK)
• Avoid West Coast teams: LA, Vegas, Vancouver games start 10pm+ ET (3am+ UK)

NHL Season Timeline

UK Ice Hockey: The EIHL

While following the NHL, you might also want to explore live ice hockey in the UK. The Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL) is Britain's top professional hockey league, and it's far more accessible for UK fans.

About the EIHL

• 12 teams across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland
• Season runs September to April
• Games played at UK-friendly times (typically 7pm-7:30pm starts)
• Available to watch on Premier Sports
• Tickets typically £15-£30 for live games

Popular EIHL Teams

• Belfast Giants - Northern Ireland (multiple champions)
• Sheffield Steelers - One of the league's most successful teams
• Cardiff Devils - Wales' top team
• Nottingham Panthers - Historic club with passionate fanbase
• Manchester Storm - Strong following in the North West

Attending EIHL games is a fantastic way to experience live hockey while you're learning the sport through watching the NHL. The atmosphere is excellent and it's a great family-friendly option.

Tips for UK Hockey Fans

Getting into Hockey from the UK

1. Start with the Stanley Cup Playoffs: The most intense, exciting hockey of the year (April-June)
2. Pick a team: Following one team makes the 82-game season manageable
3. Use replays: NHL.TV's on-demand feature lets you watch games the next day
4. Learn the basics: Check out our American Sports Rules Guide for hockey fundamentals
5. Watch live EIHL: Attending a local game helps you understand the speed and physicality

Dealing with the Time Zone Challenge

• Embrace replays: Watch games the next morning with your coffee
• Avoid spoilers: Mute relevant social media until you've watched
• Weekend warrior: Save late nights for Friday/Saturday games only
• Follow East Coast teams: Earlier starts (midnight vs 3am)
• Playoff intensity: More worth staying up for than regular season

Choosing a Team to Support

With 32 NHL teams, choosing one can be overwhelming. Here are some UK-friendly suggestions:

• Toronto Maple Leafs: Historic Canadian team, massive global following, East Coast times
• Boston Bruins: Original Six team, passionate fanbase, 5pm PT games
• New York Rangers: Iconic team, great jerseys, East Coast schedule
• Vegas Golden Knights: New (2017) but already won a Cup, exciting style - but West Coast times
• Florida Panthers: Defending 2025 champions, East Coast times

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts

Ice hockey might be the toughest American sport to follow from the UK due to game times, but dedicated fans find ways to make it work. The sport's intensity, speed, and playoff drama make it incredibly rewarding once you're hooked.

For serious fans, NHL.TV on DAZN (£109.99/season) is the clear choice - every game, no blackouts, and excellent on-demand features for catching up on games you couldn't watch live. For casual fans or those on a budget, Premier Sports provides solid weekly coverage at a lower price point.

The key to enjoying NHL from the UK is embracing replays. Accept that you won't watch most games live, avoid social media spoilers, and treat morning game-watching as your reward. And when those Stanley Cup Playoffs arrive in spring? That's when staying up late becomes absolutely worth it.