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Sportsnet Lifts 150 Blackouts to Deliver More National NHL Games Than Ever for 2026-2027 Season

September 8, 2026 / Latest News
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– More regional games available nationally – 

– Introduces Saturday Night Hockey featuring Ron MacLean, Kevin Bieksa, Elliotte Friedman and Colby Armstrong – 

September 9, 2026 – Sportsnet is set to deliver its biggest hockey season ever with a national schedule of 550+ games, including 150 regional blackouts lifted. 

“Sportsnet will showcase more games than ever before with 35% more national broadcasts than last year and fewer blackouts, giving fans unprecedented access to the NHL’s biggest stars and best moments,” said Greg Sansone, President of Sportsnet. 

Saturday Night Hockey  

Sportsnet premieres Saturday Night Hockey on October 3, with Ron MacLean, Kevin Bieksa, Elliotte Friedman and Colby Armstrong setting the stage for a weekly doubleheader, featuring at least one Canadian team in each matchup. 

“Saturday Night Hockey will put Canadian teams front-and-centre, where the compelling games and world’s best players will be the focus of the show, with a studio team that brings unmatched personality and unique perspectives,” said Sansone.  

Visit sportsnet.ca for the full Saturday Night Hockey schedule on Sportsnet.  

Monday Night Hockey  

Monday Night Hockey returns on October 5 and, new this season, will stream exclusively on Sportsnet+. Hockey Central, hosted by David Amber alongside analysts Luke Gazdic and Justin Williams, brings fans a second weekly national showcase featuring Canadian NHL teams. 

All Sportsnet+ subscribers get this exclusive content as part of their subscription package. Fans who currently subscribe to Sportsnet through a TV provider can access Monday Night Hockey and more than 100 additional US team matchups by signing into Sportsnet+ with their TV provider credentials and upgrading to add this content for $12.99/month. The add-on package for TV subscribers will be available for purchase beginning on September 15. 

Visit sportsnet.ca for the full Monday Night Hockey schedule on Sportsnet+.  

Sportsnet+ Premium subscribers continue to get access to all content available in the Standard package, plus all out-of-market games, and a new feature that allows fans to choose between home and away broadcast feeds.  

For more information on Sportsnet+ and how TV subscribers can add the exclusive content, visit the FAQ. 

Opening Night  

Sportsnet’s 2026-27 national NHL coverage begins Opening Night on September 29 featuring a Canadian double-header on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+: 

  • 6:30 p.m. ET / 3:30 p.m. PT – Hockey Central 
  • 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT – Montreal Canadiens vs Toronto Maple Leafs 
  • Play-by-Play: Chris Cuthbert; Game Analyst: Craig Simpson; Reporter: Kyle Bukauskus 
  • 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT – Vancouver Canucks vs Edmonton Oilers 
  • Play-by-Play: Jack Michaels; Game Analyst: Louie DeBrusk; Reporter: Gene Principe  

Sportsnet will also broadcast all NHL tentpole events including NHL Heritage Classic on October 25, NHL Winter Classic on December 31, 2027, NHL All-Star Weekend on February 5-6, and 2027 NHL Stadium Series on February 20 as well as all the Stanley Cup Playoffs with the exception of three early round series that will be available on Prime Video. 

 

About Sportsnet  

Sportsnet is Canada’s #1 sports network. Sportsnet’s multimedia offerings include Sportsnet (consisting of four regional channels: East, Ontario, West, and Pacific), Sportsnet ONE, Sportsnet 360, Sportsnet World, Sportsnet+, the Sportsnet Radio Network, Sportsnet.ca, the Sportsnet app, and podcasts. Sportsnet is the official Canadian NHL national multiplatform rights holder, and is the regional broadcaster for the Vancouver Canucks, Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers, and Toronto Maple Leafs. Sportsnet also has extensive coverage of the Toronto Blue Jays, Toronto Raptors, and UFC, as well as NBA, MLB, Grand Slam of Curling, National Bank Open presented by Rogers, Super League Rugby, Premiership Rugby, FA Women’s Super League, and FA Cup. Sportsnet is part of Rogers Sports & Media, which is a subsidiary of Rogers Communications Inc. (TSX, NYSE: RCI). Visit Sportsnet.ca  

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