2026 Season Guide

What Every NHL Fan Needs
for the 2026 Season

National Hockey League fans average about $106/mo, with the league ranging from Winnipeg Jets at $100/mo to Boston Bruins at $112/mo.

NHL is now a two-front battle: local rights plus TNT/Max.

ABC, ESPN, TNT, and Max drive the national side while your local team still pushes the in-market price.

Why this season feels different

Out-of-market fans often end up in a cleaner setup because ESPN+ absorbs a lot of the national burden.

Where local rights still dominate

Teams with a clean direct-to-consumer option look very different from teams still locked behind a live-TV bundle.

Most expensive NHL teams

Build your NHL season stack

Start from the league picture, then personalize it by team and location.

Last reviewed April 4, 2026

NHL 2026 guidance focuses on the current rights mix rather than long-run historical averages.
Season pages highlight the expensive end of the league because that is where most shopping pain shows up first.
Use the calculator when you want the season narrative translated into a real plan for your location.