The 2025–2026 NHL season drops the puck with a deep roster of talent, a packed schedule of high-stakes matchups, and mounting anticipation from every corner of the hockey world. Among the league’s cornerstone franchises, the Chicago Blackhawks stand out—historically dominant, fiercely competitive, and backed by one of the most passionate fanbases in professional sports. With a roster boasting emerging stars and longstanding veterans, the Hawks enter this season with momentum and eyes on playoff contention.
This guide provides a clear path for fans eager to catch every moment of Blackhawks action on DirecTV. Whether watching from home on cable, streaming on the go, or tuning in from a mobile device, you'll find all the options to follow each shift, goal, and glove save throughout the 82-game regular season and beyond. Scroll down and get ready for puck drop.
The NHL released the full 2025-2026 regular season schedule on June 26, 2025. Chicago opens at home on October 9, 2025, against the St. Louis Blues at the United Center. The 82-game campaign spans nearly seven months, running through April 13, 2026.
Notable games that fans already have circled:
Chicago’s six-game preseason slate begins September 21, 2025, featuring home-and-away exhibitions with the Minnesota Wild and Nashville Predators. These games set the tone for roster finalization before the regular season gets underway.
Each of the 32 NHL teams plays 82 games: 41 at home and 41 on the road. The Blackhawks’ regular season includes:
If Chicago finishes among the top three in the Central Division or secures one of two Western Conference wild card spots, post-season play begins mid-April 2026. The Stanley Cup Playoffs run through mid-June and consist of up to four best-of-seven series. Each round is elimination-based, with no reseeding between rounds.
Three themed nights during the 2025-2026 regular season offer enhanced value for fans tuning in on DirecTV:
Additionally, look for fierce division faceoffs against the Winnipeg Jets and Nashville Predators throughout the calendar. These games frequently impact the playoff picture, especially during the final six weeks of the season when wildcard positioning tightens.
Under the current U.S. media rights agreement, the NHL’s national broadcast partners are ESPN and Turner Sports (TNT and TBS), which entered a seven-year deal with the league beginning with the 2021–2022 season. This agreement, which runs through the 2027–2028 season, gives ESPN and Turner exclusive rights to air nationally televised regular season games, the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and the entire Stanley Cup Final on alternating years.
Each network holds specific rights: ESPN+ streams over 1,050 out-of-market games, while ABC and ESPN2 air marquee matchups and some playoff series. TNT typically carries Wednesday night doubleheaders throughout the regular season, along with select Sunday games after the NFL season ends. Most importantly, one network each year receives exclusive broadcast rights for the Stanley Cup Final. In 2025, that exclusive coverage will belong to TNT; for the 2026 season, ESPN will take the reins.
Games broadcast nationally are chosen based on a range of factors: market size, player popularity, playoff implications, and rivalry status. These national games, which preempt regional telecasts, are only available through the national rights holder—meaning local broadcasters, such as NBC Sports Chicago, do not have rights to air them when they're picked up by TNT or ESPN.
In contrast, regional broadcasts focus on covering the team’s full schedule within its home market. These games are subject to blackout rules outside of the designated viewing territory. Viewers in Chicago can expect the majority of Blackhawks games to air on a regional network, except when they’re selected for a national broadcast.
As of the current media trends and the rising spotlight on the Blackhawks’ developing roster and young talent, particularly with the breakout of star rookies and renewed postseason ambitions, the team is likely to earn multiple national TV slots in the 2025–2026 season. Based on similar team profiles—such as the 2023–2024 Detroit Red Wings and Buffalo Sabres, each of whom received 6–9 nationally televised games—the Blackhawks can reasonably expect a comparable number.
Key matchups against Original Six rivals like the Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs, as well as divisional games against teams like Colorado and St. Louis, are strong candidates for inclusion in national broadcasts.
The NHL’s playoff broadcasting is split between ESPN and Turner Sports on a yearly rotation. In 2025, Turner will carry the entire Stanley Cup Final, while ESPN handles the 2026 edition. Throughout the playoffs, early-round games are divided across TNT, TBS, ESPN, ESPN2, and ABC. This structure means that as teams advance, their matchups gain more visibility nationally, gradually eliminating the need for regional coverage entirely by the Conference Finals.
Fans following the Blackhawks’ postseason will need access to both Turner and ESPN family networks to ensure complete playoff coverage—especially if Chicago returns to deep playoff contention.
Watching every Chicago Blackhawks game during the 2025–2026 NHL season on DirecTV means knowing exactly which channels carry local and national broadcasts. The availability of specific channels determines whether you'll catch every rush, one-timer, and glove save live and in high-definition.
For fans living in the Chicago broadcast market, NBC Sports Chicago remains the regional sports network (RSN) where most Blackhawks regular season games air. When the team isn’t playing on national television, this channel provides complete local coverage—including pregame and postgame analysis tailored to Blackhawks fans.
To receive NBC Sports Chicago, your DirecTV package must include regional sports network access. Verify that your billing ZIP code falls within the designated Chicago market to unlock this channel.
When the Blackhawks appear on national television—often for marquee matchups or rivalry games—expect to find them on ESPN or TNT. These networks form the backbone of the NHL’s national broadcast deal through 2028, rotating weekly matchups and exclusive coverage throughout the season.
Both channels are included with DirecTV's Choice and higher-tier packages, which also upgrade your access to RSNs and specialty sports content.
For deeper league-wide coverage and occasional live games, NHL Network offers another layer of access. While not focused exclusively on the Blackhawks, this channel delivers trade deadlines, mid-season analysis, and nightly highlight breakdowns with studio coverage from NHL broadcasters.
NHL Network isn’t part of base packages. You'll need to activate the Sports Pack add-on or subscribe to NHL Center Ice to unlock it. In many cases, that also includes dozens of out-of-market games per week.
Are you in-market or out-of-market? Checking your regional sports zone through DirecTV’s online tool can eliminate confusion and tailor your subscription for full Blackhawks access. Combine the correct channel lineup with the right package, and you won’t miss a puck drop from October to April—and beyond.
DirecTV structures its programming around tiered packages, each offering progressively greater access to live sports content. For viewers focused on the NHL and the Chicago Blackhawks' 2025–2026 campaign, the Choice, Ultimate, and Premier packages deliver different levels of coverage. Each tier includes additional regional sports networks (RSNs), national sports channels, and premium entertainment components that broaden the viewing experience beyond hockey.
Beyond core packages, DirecTV allows subscribers to enrich their sports lineup with specialized add-ons. The Sports Pack is the primary upgrade, unlocking more than 40 regional and specialty sports networks, including out-of-market RSNs, international coverage, and niche sports content.
Additional add-ons worth considering include:
The CHOICE package provides a solid foundation—daily sports news, national broadcasts, and regional games through available RSNs. It's the baseline for following Blackhawks regular-season games within the team's regional footprint.
Subscribe to the Ultimate package and you gain access to more NHL-centric content. Most critically, the inclusion of NHL Network opens access to league-wide coverage, deeper insight into player trades, power rankings, and non-local matchups. For fans scouting playoff rivals or fantasy league participants, this depth adds measurable value.
Premier gives Blackhawks followers every national sports broadcast channel plus premium shows, films, and sports documentaries. For households with multiple viewing interests—and especially for sports fans splitting allegiance between NHL, NFL, NBA, MLB, and college sports—Premier functions as an all-access point.
Each tier increases your bandwidth for coverage—but which one reflects your game-day goals? Are you watching just the Blackhawks or following the league as a whole? Your answer points directly to the right DirecTV sports package.
NHL Center Ice on DirecTV provides access to up to 40 out-of-market regular season NHL games each week. For fans of the Chicago Blackhawks living outside the Chicago designated market area (DMA), this subscription package becomes the most direct route to following every shift, pass, and goal throughout the 2025–2026 season. With full-season coverage starting from opening night, subscribers receive a consistent feed of live action from arenas across North America.
Not living in Illinois, northern Indiana, or western Iowa? NHL Center Ice fills that gap. The package includes almost all Blackhawks regular-season games not nationally televised. Whether you’re in Phoenix, Portland, or Providence, Center Ice bypasses typical regional broadcasting limitations by giving you access to Chicago’s local broadcasts—complete with commentary teams from NBC Sports Chicago when feeds are available.
The service streams non-national games, meaning matchups broadcast exclusively on ESPN, TNT, or ABC won’t be included in Center Ice. Additionally, residents within the Chicago DMA will experience blackouts on games available locally through NBC Sports Chicago or elsewhere, rendered inaccessible on Center Ice due to league broadcasting rules.
NHL Center Ice games are available on DirecTV channels 769 through 785. These rotate depending on scheduling and opponents, with each game assigned dynamically. During doubleheaders or heavy game nights, multiple simultaneous broadcasts offer viewers several options.
The 2025–2026 season-long subscription for NHL Center Ice on DirecTV costs approximately $69.99 to $79.99, depending on promotional offers and the month of sign-up. Monthly payment plans are typically available starting in October. The full-season pass activates around the preseason launch and concludes after the final day of the regular season.
Already a DirecTV user? The add-on is simple to activate through the on-screen guide or online portal. Just navigate to the Sports subscription page, and select NHL Center Ice—your ticket to the full Blackhawks season, no matter where you are.
DirecTV provides NBC Sports Chicago (NBCSCH) to subscribers residing within the network’s designated market area (DMA). This region includes Illinois, northwest Indiana, eastern Iowa, and southern Wisconsin. If your billing ZIP code falls within this territory, the channel will appear in your lineup.
Specifically, viewers in Chicago and surrounding areas—including Rockford, Springfield, Peoria, and portions of Milwaukee—have access. Those located outside the territory will not receive NBC Sports Chicago unless using a national NHL package, and even then, access can be limited by blackout rules.
To get NBC Sports Chicago on DirecTV, you’ll need to subscribe to a plan that includes regional sports networks. The CHOICE™ package or higher—like ULTIMATE or PREMIER™—includes NBCSCH as long as your location is within its broadcast territory.
Packages below CHOICE™—like ENTERTAINMENT or BASIC—do not carry NBC Sports Chicago by default.
If you're on the go, DirecTV subscribers can access live broadcasts of NBC Sports Chicago through streaming apps using TV Everywhere authentication. Log in with your DirecTV credentials via:
Both apps support iOS, Android, Roku, Fire TV, and select smart TVs. Authentication confirms a valid DirecTV subscription and presence within the NBC Sports Chicago market range. Without this verification, the stream will be unavailable even if the account is active.
Regional Sports Networks are channels that hold the broadcasting rights for professional teams within specific geographic areas. They exist to serve local fanbases and are determined by contractual agreements with leagues like the NHL. NBC Sports Chicago, for instance, holds the regional rights to televise Chicago Blackhawks games during the regular season for viewers located within the designated broadcast territory. DirecTV includes this RSN in its lineup, but only for subscribers who reside inside the approved market area.
Where you live determines whether you're considered "in-market" or "out-of-market." If you're located in Illinois or neighboring regions deemed part of the Chicago sports area, you're classified as in-market. In this case, NBC Sports Chicago broadcasts the majority of regular season Blackhawks games directly to your DirecTV feed. However, fans watching from outside that geographic boundary—such as Minneapolis, Denver, or Boston—are out-of-market. For them, accessing NBC Sports Chicago directly through DirecTV won’t be possible due to licensing restrictions.
DirecTV determines your market based on billing ZIP code and service location. These parameters define the RSNs included in your subscription and, by extension, which live hockey games you can and can't watch.
Being outside the NBC Sports Chicago region doesn’t shut you out. Several pathways exist for following the Blackhawks all season long:
Wondering whether you're in or out of the Blackhawks' market area? Use DirecTV's RSN lookup tool online and enter your ZIP code. That’s the fastest way to confirm the channels included in your package and whether you’ll need supplemental services to catch every face-off.
Blackout restrictions stem from the NHL's broadcast rights agreements. These rules are designed to protect local and national broadcasters by controlling where and how a game is shown. When a game airs on a regional sports network (RSN) like NBC Sports Chicago, it’s blacked out on out-of-market services like NHL Center Ice in the local viewing area. This ensures regional networks retain exclusive rights to reach their designated market.
Here’s where things get specific. If you're watching via DirecTV and live within the designated Chicago market, Blackhawks games shown on NBC Sports Chicago will be blacked out on channels like NHL Center Ice and ESPN+. Depending on your package, this could impact your ability to tune in live — unless you're on the right channel or using the appropriate stream.
Nationally televised games introduce another layer. For example, games airing on TNT or TBS (both owned by Warner Bros. Discovery) may not be available in the DirecTV app if those channels are not included in your package. This includes some high-profile midweek or weekend matchups. If a game is on TNT, it will usually be blacked out on NHL Center Ice, regardless of location.
Even with blackout rules, NHL Center Ice and national broadcasts on ESPN, TNT, ABC, and NHL Network can fill a lot of the gaps. NHL Center Ice offers access to out-of-market Blackhawks games, while nationally televised matches bypass RSNs completely and remain available across all DirecTV markets where the national channel is part of the subscription.
This hybrid approach — RSN + NHL Center Ice + national coverage — ensures maximum exposure to the full 82-game season. But knowing when a game shifts from local to national matters. An early-season Tuesday tilt in St. Louis? That’s probably on NBC Sports Chicago. A Saturday night matchup at Madison Square Garden? Expect ESPN or ABC.
Many Blackhawks fans manage blackouts with a combination of DirecTV and streaming platforms. Services like DirecTV Stream, YouTube TV, or Hulu + Live TV include national sports networks and sometimes regional ones depending on location. When paired with your DirecTV satellite service, this setup expands your access considerably.
This multi-platform strategy eliminates most blackout frustrations. Check the game schedule weekly, compare channel listings, and keep your logins ready across apps — that’s how you stay ahead of the restrictions.
DirecTV Stream operates as a standalone streaming platform and does not require a satellite dish or traditional cable box. Subscribers can watch live TV and sports through an internet connection, making it ideal for those looking to cut the cord. Unlike the satellite service, DirecTV Stream includes flexibility in device compatibility—smart TVs, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, and mobile devices all support the platform.
While DirecTV satellite typically offers a broader channel lineup, DirecTV Stream provides a competitive alternative with fewer hardware constraints and no long-term contracts. Monthly billing and rapid sign-up allow new users to start streaming within minutes. But for NHL fans, the critical difference lies in availability of Regional Sports Networks and national partners.
Subscribers in the Chicago area can access NBC Sports Chicago, the regional broadcaster for most Blackhawks regular-season games. DirecTV Stream includes this RSN in its Choice package and higher. To verify regional access, entering a ZIP code during signup immediately reveals which RSNs are available in a given location.
For out-of-market games, as well as national broadcasts, DirecTV Stream carries required sports networks like:
The Choice, Ultimate, and Premier tiers include access to most major RSNs, as well as ESPN and TNT. Nationwide, DirecTV Stream provides consistent access to NHL national partners without location-based restrictions. In the Chicago area, this setup allows direct viewing of both local broadcasts and national primetime games.
Unlike some competing streamers, DirecTV Stream maintains carriage agreements with nearly all regional networks, including NBC Sports Chicago, MSG, Bally Sports, and AT&T SportsNet channels—an advantage for NHL fans relying on local broadcasts.
DirecTV Stream functions without coaxial setups or satellite installations. Fans outside traditional cable infrastructure—condo dwellers, renters, and urban viewers—gain consistent access to Blackhawks games through app-based streaming. Seriously: have a Roku, Fire Stick, or Smart TV? That’s enough to get started.
And with unlimited cloud DVR in all packages, fans can record every Blackhawks game in the 2025-2026 season and watch it on their own schedule. Missed a 3-on-3 overtime thriller? Rewind and replay any time.
DirecTV makes every Chicago Blackhawks game accessible, with coverage that travels from your big screen to your mobile device. Whether it’s a division rivalry on NBC Sports Chicago or a nationally broadcast showdown on TNT, the service covers all bases through its integration of traditional channels, premium sports add-ons, and digital streaming platforms.
In-market fans can catch nearly all regular season games via the NBC Sports Chicago feed on DirecTV’s Choice package or higher, while out-of-market viewers benefit from access to NHL Center Ice and DirecTV Stream’s regional sports network offerings. Keep the NHL Network in your rotation for analysis and bonus games, especially during high-intensity weeks. Can’t catch the puck drop in real time? Activate the cloud DVR feature on DirecTV Stream or use the standard Genie DVR with your satellite subscription for full control over replay and highlights.
If you're cheering from outside the Chicago market, avoiding blackout headaches means knowing where and when to stream. NHL.tv integration inside DirecTV platforms and extra coverage via ESPN+ for national games fills in the gaps for displaced diehards. Combine that with mobile streaming through the DirecTV app, and the entire 82-game journey—from October faceoffs to spring playoff pushes—stays within reach.
One final step remains: choose your DirecTV plan strategically. Review game counts by channel, assess blackout scenarios for your ZIP code, then select between the satellite and streaming services based on your setup. With the right package, every goal, save, and slapshot is just a few clicks away. Ready to follow the Indian Head across a full season of action?
©2025 American TV. All Rights Reserved
Disclaimer: All rights reserved. AmericanTV.com is a website for research and comparison as such, falls under "Fair Use". AmericanTV.com does not provide directly phone, TV, and internet service. All trademarks, logos, etc. remain the property of their respective owners and are used by AmericanTV.com only to describe products and services offered by each respective trademark holder. The use of any third party trademarks on this site in no way indicates any relationship between AmericanTV.com and the holders of said trademarks, nor any endorsement of AmericanTV.com by the holders of said trademarks.
We are here 24/7 to answer all of your TV + Internet Questions:
1-855-690-9884
1-855-690-9884