The Dallas Stars skate into the 2025–2026 NHL season with momentum, depth, and a growing fan base that’s eager to see how far this roster can go. With standout talent on the ice and high ambitions in the Western Conference, every game counts — and every goal sparks conversation across Texas and beyond.
DirecTV continues to be a key player in broadcasting NHL matchups, providing extensive coverage of both national broadcasts and regional feeds. Whether you're tuning in from home or streaming on the go, DirecTV’s sports offerings make it possible to follow every Stars puck drop, power play, and final whistle.
This guide lays out exactly how to watch the Dallas Stars live all season long through DirecTV, with specifics on channels, packages, and streaming options tailored for die-hard fans and casual viewers alike.
The Dallas Stars kick off their 2025–2026 NHL campaign in early October 2025 and will conclude the regular season in mid-April 2026. The exact starting date aligns with the NHL’s league-wide opening week, historically beginning around the second week of October.
This upcoming season spans 82 games—41 at home, 41 on the road—balancing divisional face-offs with inter-conference matchups. Expect marquee games early, rivalries to peak by midseason, and playoff-positioning battles intensifying as April approaches.
Fans can circle several dates that will command broader attention. Showdowns against the Colorado Avalanche, St. Louis Blues, and Minnesota Wild carry divisional weight, while coast-to-coast games versus the New York Rangers, Boston Bruins, and Vegas Golden Knights will feature on national broadcasts.
You won’t need to wait for game night to stay updated. The complete, official Dallas Stars 2025–2026 schedule is readily available online across several platforms:
Bookmark key dates, set calendars, and plan viewing strategies based on travel days or premium opponents. The rhythm of the season is set—the puck will drop soon.
For the 2025–2026 NHL season, the league's national television rights remain with ESPN and Turner Sports. DirecTV continues to offer full access to games broadcast on ESPN, ESPN2, ABC (through affiliated local stations), and TNT. These national broadcasts include marquee matchups, Wednesday night doubleheaders, select rivalry nights, and the full slate of Stanley Cup Playoff games.
NHL games on ESPN and TNT are typically included at no extra cost in DirecTV packages that carry these channels. For example, DirecTV's CHOICE™ package and above include ESPN, ESPN2, TNT, and your local ABC affiliate — ensuring complete access to nationally televised games.
For Dallas Stars fans residing in the team’s home broadcast region, Bally Sports Southwest holds exclusive local rights to regular-season games not picked up nationally. These broadcasts include pre-game and post-game coverage specific to the Stars, with commentary tailored to the fanbase.
DirecTV subscribers within the Stars' market receive Bally Sports Southwest as part of the regional sports network offering in their package, typically starting with CHOICE™ and higher. The regional network provides comprehensive coverage of around 70+ regular-season games and selected preseason matchups.
When a game is selected for national telecast and is also scheduled for regional broadcast, televised coverage may be subject to a simulcast policy. The NHL enforces exclusivity for national networks, which means DirecTV substitutes the national feed in place of the local Bally Sports broadcast when such overlap occurs.
This policy affects several high-profile rivalry games and playoff broadcasts. While the commentary team might differ, the game coverage remains uninterrupted. Subscribers often notice changes in camera angles, score garphics, and between-period features when switching from regional to national feeds.
Accessing live NHL broadcasts through DirecTV’s online platforms—whether the DirecTV mobile app or a web browser—requires a one-time agreement to consent and data usage terms. This consent includes allowing DirecTV and its partners to collect anonymous viewing data for performance analytics and experience personalization.
Users must verify their subscription package and location before streaming begins. This verification ensures regional game availability reflects local broadcast rights and enforces blackout restrictions when applicable.
Consent to these terms is mandatory for streaming both regional Bally Sports feeds and national broadcasts via the DirecTV app ecosystem.
Tracking every Dallas Stars game on DirecTV starts with knowing exactly where to tune in. The broadcast rights for NHL games during the 2025–2026 season remain distributed among national and regional sports networks, making channel numbers essential. Here’s where to go on DirecTV:
Keep in mind that regional availability of Bally Sports Southwest depends on your geographic location as assigned by DirecTV’s spot beam coverage for RSNs. If you're outside of the Southwest broadcast zone, games may shift to national channels or require NHL Center Ice.
High-definition (HD) broadcasts are standard across all four of the major networks listed above. DirecTV airs ESPN, TNT, NHL Network, and Bally Sports Southwest in 1080i HD resolution, providing sharp picture quality for game nights. Select matchups—including nationally televised games on ESPN and TNT—are also scheduled for 4K Ultra HD simulcasts.
DirecTV designates its 4K content in the 104–108 channel range. For hockey, look for the following:
These broadcasts require a 4K-compatible TV, connected Genie receiver (HR54 or newer), and access to DirecTV's 4K-ready package tier.
DirecTV’s interactive “Sports Central” dashboard lets you monitor NHL schedules in real time. Located at channel 700, this feature aggregates live game scores, upcoming matchups, and links directly to the channel airing each event. You can customize the tile view to follow the Dallas Stars exclusively or explore the broader NHL landscape during the season.
This centralized hub also flags games scheduled in 4K or that are subject to blackout restrictions, so you know what’s accessible in your area each night.
DirecTV includes Bally Sports Southwest in its regional sports lineup, but access hinges on your ZIP code. Use DirecTV’s Local RSN lookup tool on their official website to confirm availability. Enter your ZIP code, and if you're within the designated Bally Sports Southwest territory, the channel will automatically appear in your package lineup.
In most Texas markets—including Dallas-Fort Worth, Austin, San Antonio, and parts of eastern New Mexico and northern Louisiana—Bally Sports Southwest is included with the CHOICE package or above. If the channel doesn't show up after checking your ZIP code, you're likely in a region serviced by a different regional sports network (RSN).
Bally Sports Southwest serves as the primary RSN for the Dallas Stars. The broadcast zone covers:
Live game coverage, pre-game shows, and post-game interviews all originate from this RSN. If you reside within this footprint and subscribe to the right package, Stars games will appear automatically in your DirecTV schedule.
Regional sports networks follow strict territory rules governed by the NHL. The league designates exclusive broadcast rights within specific geographical zones for each team. If your address puts you outside Bally Sports Southwest’s NHL territory for the Dallas Stars, DirecTV will block live games due to blackout rules—even if you receive the channel for other programming.
Within the designated home market, Bally Sports Southwest carries nearly all regular-season Dallas Stars games and select preseason matchups. Coverage excludes nationally exclusive broadcasts featured on ESPN or TNT.
Still uncertain about your coverage? Run a test: try tuning in to Bally Sports Southwest during a live Stars game. If a blackout message appears, you're out-of-market and will need alternate options like NHL Center Ice or streaming apps to follow the team's 2025–2026 season.
Any matchup involving the Dallas Stars that isn't broadcast within your regional sports network area falls into the “out-of-market” category. If you live outside of the Bally Sports Southwest coverage zone, local broadcasts won’t carry Stars games. For example, a fan in Seattle or Boston won’t get the Dallas-San Jose game aired regionally. These are the games NHL Center Ice covers nationwide.
The NHL determines market boundaries not by state lines, but by broadcast rights. This means even within Texas, some viewers might find themselves considered 'out-of-market' for Stars games. However, subscribing to NHL Center Ice through DirecTV bypasses this limitation.
NHL Center Ice delivers a specialized package tailored for devoted fans who reside outside their favorite team's local broadcasting market. Here’s what it includes when purchased via DirecTV:
For the 2025–2026 NHL season, DirecTV’s NHL Center Ice package is expected to range between $69.99 and $109.99, depending on the timing of the purchase, promotional offers, or partial seasons. Historically, DirecTV breaks this into up to four monthly payments, allowing automatic billing without prepayment.
Activation typically begins in early October, with a free preview window lasting 7–14 days at the start of the season. During this period, out-of-market games can be watched at no extra charge, which offers a trial opportunity before committing to the subscription.
Want uninterrupted access to every out-of-market Dallas Stars faceoff, power play, and shootout? NHL Center Ice on DirecTV delivers that experience, straight to your screen—even if you're nowhere near American Airlines Center.
DirecTV Stream and DirecTV satellite both offer access to Dallas Stars games, but they operate through distinct infrastructures. DirecTV satellite uses a dish receiver setup to deliver channels via satellite, requiring professional installation and contractual commitments. In contrast, DirecTV Stream is an entirely internet-based service, allowing users to watch live TV without a satellite dish or cable box, and only needing a high-speed internet connection to function.
Streaming subscribers can start immediately, often with flexible month-to-month plans—no hardware rental required. Those in Dallas-Fort Worth will find DirecTV Stream particularly attractive, as it includes access to Regional Sports Networks (RSNs) like Bally Sports Southwest in its “Choice” package and above.
Bally Sports Southwest is the key RSN for Dallas Stars coverage within their home market. DirecTV Stream includes Bally Sports Southwest in its “Choice” package tier and all higher levels. There’s no need for additional subscriptions or add-ons—games stream live as long as you're located within the Stars’ designated market area (DMA).
The stream quality supports up to 1080p resolution standard, with consistent in-game commentary, intermission coverage, and broadcast-level production identical to what’s delivered via satellite feeds.
DirecTV Stream is compatible with an expansive range of devices, which removes barriers for fans who want to watch the Dallas Stars from their couch, during travel, or on-the-go. Supported platforms include:
By integrating across these platforms, DirecTV Stream offers a flexible, mobile-first experience that matches the viewing habits of modern fans. Whether you're watching a power play from your phone or settling in for the third period on your home theater system, the stream keeps pace with your lifestyle.
Blackout restrictions exist to protect the local television rights of NHL teams. When a Dallas Stars game airs on a regional sports network like Bally Sports Southwest, fans located in the team's designated home market won’t see the same game live on a national service or on NHL Center Ice. Instead, they’re expected to watch it through the local channel holding broadcast rights in that region.
These blackout zones are determined by the NHL and enforced strictly regardless of the actual availability of the regional channel on your TV package.
DirecTV uses a combination of your billing ZIP code and the physical location of your device to decide which games you’re allowed to view live. Even if Bally Sports Southwest is part of your subscription, being outside the STARS’ home territory may result in restricted access to live games due to opposing teams’ regional coverage rights. On DirecTV Stream, blackout enforcement can also depend on IP address location data, especially when streaming through mobile apps or smart TVs.
When traditional access routes hit a wall, flexibility in how and where you stream creates new viewing possibilities. Know your zip code restrictions, explore digital workarounds, and stay inventive with your access strategy.
DirecTV offers comprehensive NHL coverage, but depending on where you live or how you prefer to stream, alternative platforms may provide more accessible or flexible viewing options for the Dallas Stars during the 2025–2026 season. Let’s break down the key services that could also carry Stars games, depending on regional broadcast rights and your preferences.
Since 2021, ESPN+ has held a significant share of national NHL streaming rights. For the 2025–2026 season, the platform will continue streaming more than 1,000 out-of-market games—including select Dallas Stars matchups. These games are often subject to blackout restrictions in local markets, but for fans outside Texas or without Bally Sports Southwest, ESPN+ provides a reliable way to follow the team’s progress. The service also streams exclusive games not available on traditional cable or satellite services.
Hulu + Live TV includes access to ESPN, TNT, and ABC, all of which broadcast nationally televised NHL games—some of which will feature the Dallas Stars. More than just a live TV provider, Hulu also grants subscribers access to ESPN+ and Disney+, making it a bundled streaming hub for hockey fans. Regional availability of Bally Sports Southwest may still be limited, so verify before subscribing if that’s a key consideration.
Sling TV doesn’t carry regional sports networks like Bally Sports Southwest, but it does give you access to national broadcasts aired on ESPN, TNT, TBS, and ABC (via additional packages or compatible antennas). Subscribing to the Sling Orange plan combined with the Sports Extra add-on brings most of the major NHL broadcast channels into your lineup.
Before subscribing to any of these platforms, it's necessary to review their terms of service and privacy policies. Streaming providers often collect data on viewing habits, device usage, and geographic location. This data may be used for advertising or shared with third-party partners.
Ensure you're aware of:
Each platform outlines this information in its user agreement or during the subscription process. Always read the fine print—especially if you intend to use multiple devices or plan to stream across family accounts.
Diving into the 2025–2026 NHL season with the Dallas Stars means more than just catching puck drops in real time. DirecTV’s Genie DVR system offers tools to ensure every game, pre-show breakdown, and post-game analysis is right there when you want it. The key is setting series recordings, not just individual matchups.
Dallas Stars games typically run between 2.5 to 3 hours, plus extended coverage. Each recording can use up to 8–10 GB depending on HD or 4K broadcast quality. Genie DVR units offer between 200–1,000 hours of recording time in HD, but it’s easy to hit the limit with full-season coverage and other saved content.
Set your system correctly once, and you'll never need to chase down mid-season replays or worry about missing Miro Heiskanen’s latest defensive clinic. What games are you looking to preserve the most—rivalry showdowns or playoff push thrillers?
Don’t wait until the first face-off to figure out your setup. Upgrading your DirecTV package or adding NHL Center Ice now guarantees seamless access to every Dallas Stars game this 2025–2026 season—both at home and on the road.
Already locked in? Then forward this guide to your group chat of Stars fans. Let them know exactly how to access the entire season without missing a goal, a penalty kill, or that perfect Jamie Benn pass across the crease.
To stay ahead of last-minute schedule changes, NHL broadcast shifts, or emerging streaming features, sign up for real-time email or SMS alerts through your DirecTV account dashboard. The moment anything changes, you'll know.
Local games, national broadcasts, in-market access, mobile viewing—everything’s ready. All that’s left now? The drop of the puck.
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