Blackouts
Why do blackouts exist?
Regional blackouts are a mandate of the NHL, designed to cultivate and protect a team’s home market. Every team in the NHL has a number of “regional” games–which are sold by the team to a regional broadcaster and are available only to those in a team’s broadcast region–and “national” games, which are available for anyone to watch from coast-to-coast.
How do blackouts work?
Blackouts only apply to in-market NHL games. National games and out-of-market games are not subject to blackouts.
Blackouts are applied based on four criteria:
- The region where a fan is when they view a live NHL game
- The NHL team or teams that are considered in-market for that region
- Whether the fan is attempting to view a game involving the in-market team(s) for that region
- Whether the game they are attempting to watch is a regional game or a national game
When a fan is trying to watch an in-market game they will only be able to access that game on television from the local broadcast partner that owns the TV rights. Within NHL LIVE™ that game will be blacked out.
Who owns the regional rights to each Canadian team?
Edmonton Oilers regional rights are owned by Sportsnet. They have 31 regional games and 25 national games this season.
Calgary Flames regional rights are owned by Sportsnet. They have 31 regional games and 25 national games this season.
Vancouver Canucks regional rights are owned by Sportsnet. They have 26 regional games and 30 national games this season.
Toronto Maple Leafs regional rights are split between Sportsnet and TSN. Sportsnet owns 8, while TSN owns 18 this season. Their 30 national games are owned by Sportsnet.
Winnipeg Jets regional rights are owned by TSN. They have 42 regional games (on TSN) and 14 national games (on Sportsnet) this season.
Ottawa Senators regional rights are owned by TSN. They have 40 regional games (on TSN) and 16 national games (on Sportsnet) this season.
Montreal Canadiens regional rights are owned by TSN. They have 34 regional games (on TSN) and 22 national games (on Sportsnet) this season.
How to watch on TV or live stream every game
When it comes to what games are available for you to watch – your location matters! This page is updated daily to help you follow all the NHL action in 2021.
For more information on each region, SPORTS BLACKOUT SCHEDULE.