The puck drops on the Pittsburgh Penguins’ 2025–2026 NHL regular season in early October and skates through April, delivering nearly seven months of fast-paced action. With 82 scheduled games, Penguins fans can expect a blend of home and away matchups that include high-stakes divisional clashes and classic rivalries that define the franchise.
Opening night, set for October 9, puts the Penguins on home ice at PPG Paints Arena, setting the tone for a season filled with momentum shifts and playoff implications. The regular season concludes on April 14, leaving just enough time to sort through standings chaos before the postseason begins. In between, fans can pencil in high-intensity showdowns against the Philadelphia Flyers, Washington Capitals, and New York Rangers—fixtures that consistently deliver drama and playoff-caliber energy.
Looking to follow the entire journey live? Here’s how to catch every moment of the Penguins’ 2025–2026 season on DirecTV.
DirecTV provides comprehensive access to the NHL, offering a combination of national broadcasts and regional coverage. Pittsburgh Penguins fans can follow their team's entire 2025–2026 season without missing pivotal matchups, rivalries, or playoff pushes. National NHL rights in the United States are currently held by ESPN, TNT, and the NHL Network—all of which are available through DirecTV's sports programming.
DirecTV subscribers can watch nationally televised Penguins games live on:
Sports fans who demand comprehensive, high-quality coverage find DirecTV especially valuable. It delivers access to both national sports channels and regional sports networks (RSNs), which play a significant role in following NHL teams like the Penguins.
Here's how DirecTV enhances the Penguins viewing experience:
Planning to watch every hit, assist, and post-game break-down this season? DirecTV provides the infrastructure, channel access, and premium viewing features needed to follow the Penguins across all 82 regular season games and beyond.
The National Hockey League’s U.S. media rights deal, which began in the 2021–2022 season, continues to shape how fans access games through 2025 and beyond. Under the current agreement, Disney (through ESPN and ABC) and Warner Bros. Discovery Sports (via TNT and TBS) carry national broadcast and streaming rights. The deal spans seven seasons, running through 2027–2028, and is worth approximately $625 million annually, according to Sports Business Journal.
Both networks share coverage of marquee postseason games. ABC broadcasts the Stanley Cup Final in even-numbered years, so in 2026 the decisive series will appear on ABC and be simulcast on ESPN+.
On DirecTV, national NHL games are accessible via familiar channels: ESPN (Ch. 206), ESPN2 (Ch. 209), ABC (local affiliate stations), and TNT (Ch. 245). These nationwide broadcasts include early-season showcase games, select rivalry nights, and the majority of playoff matchups. However, not every Penguins game reaches a national audience.
Games that aren’t picked up for national broadcast remain regionally exclusive and are distributed through Regional Sports Networks (RSNs). For Penguin fans living in the Pittsburgh broadcast territory, these matches air on SportsNet Pittsburgh, not on ESPN or TNT. Outside of that area, these games appear only through packages like NHL Center Ice or streaming services like ESPN+ — and may be blacked out depending on location.
DirecTV integrates both national and regional game coverage, but knowing which matchups air on which network requires close attention to the broadcasting schedule. When the Penguins play on a Wednesday night, check TNT. For a Saturday afternoon faceoff in early spring, ABC is likely your destination. And when there’s no cable listing but the Penguins are playing, ESPN+ could be streaming the exclusive rights.
Throughout the 2025–2026 NHL season, most Pittsburgh Penguins regular-season games will air on SportsNet Pittsburgh. As the go-to regional sports network (RSN) for Penguins coverage, SportsNet Pittsburgh provides more than just play-by-play—viewers get pre-game analysis, in-game commentary from local experts, and exclusive post-game interviews.
Owned by Fenway Sports Group and managed in partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery, SportsNet Pittsburgh assumed the broadcasting role from AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh beginning in October 2023. The RSN holds the exclusive local rights to Penguins games not picked up by national networks like ESPN or TNT. This means if you're in the Pittsburgh viewing region and you're watching via DirecTV, this is the channel that delivers the heart of the season.
DirecTV doesn't use a universal channel number for regional sports networks—instead, it assigns RSNs based on location. Here’s how to locate the correct RSN tier for your area:
For example, in Pittsburgh (ZIP code 15219), SportsNet Pittsburgh appears on channel 659. Outside that designated market area (DMA), blackout restrictions apply and you’ll need NHL Center Ice for out-of-market access.
Game night in Western Pennsylvania starts with SportsNet Pittsburgh—and with DirecTV aligning your regional lineup automatically, local fans stay looped in from puck drop to final horn.
To watch the Pittsburgh Penguins 2025–2026 season on DirecTV, knowing exactly where to find each broadcast is key. NHL coverage spreads across multiple national and regional networks. DirecTV includes all major NHL broadcasters in its lineup, giving subscribers access to regular season games, playoff matchups, and Stanley Cup coverage. Here's where to go, channel by channel.
Penguins regular season games not picked up by national networks air on the team’s regional partner. For Pittsburgh coverage, that means AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh—although rebranding by 2025 may shift the name, the network’s channel slot remains consistent within DirecTV's guide.
Channel positions for networks like ABC and regional sports networks vary by ZIP code. To locate the correct channel numbers for your area, go to the DirecTV Channel Lookup page and enter your ZIP code. This tool provides an up-to-date list for both standard and high-definition (HD) lineups.
Prefer to browse the DirecTV guide in real time? Use the remote’s search function and filter by “NHL” or “Penguins” to line up future airings across all included channels.
When the Pittsburgh Penguins hit the road in the 2025–2026 season, fans can stay connected with every play through the NHL Center Ice package on DirecTV. This premium add-on delivers a consistent and expansive lineup of out-of-market games — ideal for fans living outside the Pittsburgh region or anyone craving full-league coverage.
Expect up to 40 out-of-market games each week, providing blanket access to matchups that aren’t available on your regional sports network or national channels. Whether the Penguins are facing off against Western Conference rivals late at night or playing a matinee over the weekend, Center Ice ensures those games are part of your viewing lineup.
This package doesn’t just cater to Penguins-only fans. With hundreds of regular-season NHL games—including those not televised in your area—you can follow division standings, monitor wildcard races, or simply enjoy watching elite hockey talent across the league. Bonus feeds, alternate commentaries, and multi-game viewing options enhance the experience further.
Subscribing to NHL Center Ice through DirecTV follows a simple process. You can add the package by calling customer service, visiting the DirecTV website, or using your on-screen TV menu. Once activated, the programming integrates seamlessly with your existing plan, mapping onto designated channels in your guide.
For the 2025–2026 season, the full-season package costs $149.99 if paid up front. A monthly payment plan spreads the price over four installments of $37.50. DirecTV often introduces early-bird pricing discounts in September, so subscribers locking in before opening night can expect reduced rates or bonus games included at no extra charge.
Looking for flexibility? NHL Center Ice’s auto-renew feature ensures uninterrupted access each season, while seasonal opt-out options remain available for those who prefer to re-evaluate annually.
Already planning your Penguins watch parties? With Center Ice, you're guaranteed more than just coverage—you get a front-row seat to every drop of the puck, no matter where the game is played.
DirecTV Stream gives access to live NHL broadcasts, including Pittsburgh Penguins regular season matchups, through a lineup of national and regional sports networks. Fans within the broadcast region can stream games aired on AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh, assuming carriage remains intact for the 2025–2026 NHL season. Nationally televised games on ESPN, TNT, and ABC are also covered for users subscribed to the Choice package or higher.
Streaming through DirecTV Stream eliminates the need for a satellite dish. All content runs through internet-connected devices like smart TVs, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, and mobile platforms. No annual contract means flexibility, while DVR features let users record and store Penguins games for later viewing.
Streaming the Penguins isn’t limited to DirecTV Stream—competitors like Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, and YouTube TV also offer NHL coverage. But the differences in channel availability, price points, and RSN access create stark contrasts.
For fans inside the Penguins’ broadcasting zone, DirecTV Stream provides the most complete option with local and national games in one package. Outside the region, ESPN+ or NHL Center Ice may be necessary for full coverage.
Want to catch every hit, goal, and save this season? Streaming the Penguins through DirecTV Stream integrates local and national coverage with the convenience of multi-device access and on-demand flexibility.
NHL blackout rules aim to protect the local broadcast rights of regional sports networks (RSNs). When a game airs on a local RSN, the national broadcast gets blacked out in that region to avoid competition. This system ensures that RSNs maintain exclusive rights in their designated areas. However, it often frustrates fans who subscribe to services like NHL Center Ice or streaming platforms expecting nationwide access.
Fans in the Pittsburgh area face regional blackouts when the Penguins play on platforms outside of their assigned RSN, which is SportsNet Pittsburgh. Even if the matchup is included in the NHL Center Ice package on DirecTV or available via an ESPN+ stream, viewers located within the Penguins’ local market won't see it there—it defaults to the RSN instead. During marquee matchups, if national broadcasters like TNT or ABC pick up the game, these too may be blacked out locally, pushing fans back to their RSN.
There are several practical strategies for fans who want uninterrupted access to Penguins games despite regional blackouts:
Every Penguins fan wants uninterrupted ice time. Know your viewing zone, choose the right package, and explore out-of-market options through DirecTV and NHL streaming services to turn blackout zones into non-issues.
Select Pittsburgh Penguins matchups during the 2025–2026 NHL season will be broadcast in 4K Ultra HD on DirecTV. These typically include nationally televised games on networks such as ESPN, ABC, and Turner Sports that are part of DirecTV’s 4K programming block. Additionally, marquee matchups and weekend prime time games are often chosen for 4K production to showcase the immersive on-ice action.
DirecTV identifies 4K broadcasts with channel labels like Channel 105 and Channel 106, which specifically feature 4K sporting events. Penguins games that premiere on these channels are simulcast in high definition elsewhere, but watching them in 4K adds clarity to every pass, hit, and slapshot.
To watch Penguins games in 4K on DirecTV, make sure your setup meets the following requirements:
Each hardware component plays a role in delivering full 4K experiences. Without any one of these, the resolution will default to HD even if the broadcast is available in Ultra HD.
Although DirecTV doesn't release a full season schedule of 4K NHL games in advance, it publishes a rolling weekly 4K sports lineup available via the on-screen guide or DirecTV.com. During the season, this guide updates automatically and highlights which Penguins games will be available in 4K.
Most 4K games are announced 5–7 days ahead of airing. Watch for Penguins games scheduled for Saturday primetime or selected national feature slots—those dates routinely get 4K coverage. Fans who track these updates weekly will know exactly when to switch over to the 4K channel for the next big match-up.
DirecTV extends game access beyond your living room, offering coverage of the Pittsburgh Penguins’ 2025–2026 season across a full range of devices. Whether you're using a smartphone during a commute, a tablet from your kitchen, or a smart TV in a hotel room, DirecTV's infrastructure supports seamless multi-device compatibility.
Here’s where you can watch:
Traveling during a game? No problem. DirecTV’s mobile solution keeps you connected from virtually anywhere with cellular or Wi-Fi access. Follow this process to start streaming live Penguins games on the DirecTV app:
DirecTV’s synchronization across platforms ensures that your viewing experience won’t lag behind the action. Have you ever checked a game’s status on your phone just before walking into the room to continue watching on a bigger screen? With DirecTV, that handoff is frictionless.
©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