News Summary
The NHL has formed a multi-year partnership with DAZN to make NHL games more accessible for international viewers starting with the 2025-26 season. DAZN will become the exclusive global home for NHL.TV, covering nearly 200 countries. Fans can look forward to all NHL games, including playoffs and finals, available live and on demand across multiple devices. This move marks a significant shift in broadcasting strategy, aiming to enhance the visibility of hockey globally while making it easier for fans to enjoy the sport.
New York City Announces Major Streaming Partnership for International NHL Viewers
In a significant development for sports streaming, the National Hockey League (NHL) and DAZN have revealed a multi-year partnership that will reshape how international fans access NHL games starting with the 2025-26 season. DAZN will become the exclusive global home for NHL.TV in nearly 200 countries, excluding the United States, Canada, and Nordic nations, marking a major shift in league broadcasting and distribution strategy.
Key Details of the Partnership
The new agreement ensures that all NHL games, including regular season matchups, Stanley Cup Playoffs, and the Stanley Cup Final, will be available via DAZN’s platform both live and on demand. Fans across nearly 200 territories will gain access through various devices, such as smart TVs, smartphones, tablets, and gaming consoles, broadening the reach of NHL content internationally.
This arrangement designates DAZN as the exclusive provider of NHL.TV, replacing previous arrangements with Sportradar, which handled technical support and marketing. Existing NHL.TV subscribers will be guided on the process to migrate their accounts to DAZN over the coming months. Subscribers will have options to access NHL content either through standalone subscriptions or as add-ons within existing DAZN packages.
Global Expansion and Audience Focus
DAZN, which has registered over 120 million sports fans worldwide, aims to leverage this partnership to expand the visibility of North American hockey on the international stage. The league’s international focus is reinforced by the fact that about 30% of NHL players are born outside North America, reflecting a diverse and growing global fan base.
The CEO of DAZN Group highlighted the company’s commitment to innovation and delivering premium content to a broad audience. By integrating NHL games into its multi-sport offerings, which include NFL Game Pass, PGA Tour Pass, and FIBA’s Courtside 1891, DAZN aims to provide fans with seamless access to a variety of sports through a single platform.
Viewing Rights and Blackout Policies
While DAZN plans to make most NHL games accessible worldwide, select live broadcasts could be subject to regional blackout restrictions, particularly in countries with existing national broadcasting rights agreements. However, such games will generally be available on demand following their live broadcast, ensuring viewers do not miss key moments.
Implications for Fans and Market Dynamics
This new partnership signifies a strategic move for the NHL to focus on digital distribution and international expansion, moving away from traditional broadcast models. The shift is expected to improve accessibility for fans outside North America, where hockey’s popularity continues to grow. The agreement also aligns with DAZN’s broader goal of delivering innovative, high-quality sports content to diverse global audiences.
Financial and Contractual Details
Specific financial terms and the length of the agreement between the NHL and DAZN have not been publicly disclosed. The deal underscores the league’s ongoing efforts to modernize its content delivery and broaden its global footprint.
Conclusion
Starting in the 2025-26 season, hockey enthusiasts across nearly 200 countries will have a new, simplified way to watch NHL games through DAZN. This partnership marks a major step in the league’s international outreach, offering fans more access and flexibility while reinforcing DAZN’s position as a leading digital sports streaming service.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- NHL Official News
- Wikipedia: NHL TV
- Sports Business Journal
- Google Search: NHL DAZN streaming deal
- Daily Faceoff
- Google Scholar: NHL streaming partnership
- NHL Media Release
- Encyclopedia Britannica: National Hockey League
- Barrett Media
- Google News: NHL streaming deal 2025
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