NHL Center Ice is the National Hockey League’s out-of-market sports package that broadcasts up to 40 out-of-market games a week, including both home and away feeds for every team. For die-hard hockey fans who want to follow their favorite team all season long or see every team across the league, NHL Center Ice is a great option.
What is NHL Center Ice?
NHL Center Ice allows viewers to watch NHL games that are outside of their local television market. Most regions only air the games of their local team on cable or satellite TV. But with Center Ice, you can watch games for every NHL team across the US and Canada, regardless of where you live.
Center Ice includes broadcasts for over 1,000 out-of-market games during the regular season. You’ll have access to both home and away feeds for each matchup. Games are available in HD on most major cable and satellite providers.
In addition to live games, Center Ice includes replays of every game from the current season. So you can replay and rewatch games on demand.
What does NHL Center Ice include?
- Out-of-market broadcasts for over 1,000 NHL games
- Home and away feeds for every team
- Broadcasts available in HD
- Access to game replays and archives
- Select broadcasts available in 4K resolution
- Live game stats and data
How much does NHL Center Ice cost?
NHL Center Ice is available as a subscription directly through your cable or satellite provider. The cost for Center Ice varies by provider, but is typically around $150-$200 for the season.
Here are the prices for NHL Center Ice for some of the major providers:
Provider | Price for NHL Center Ice |
---|---|
DirecTV | $189.96/season |
Dish Network | $159.99/season |
Verizon Fios | $169.99/season |
Xfinity | $189.99/season |
Most providers offer an early bird discount if you order before the season starts. For example, DirecTV offers Center Ice for $169 if ordered by September 30th.
Some student and military discounts are also available on Center Ice packages. Check with your provider for details on pricing and discounts.
One-day passes
If you only want to watch Center Ice for a limited number of games, consider a one-day pass. Most providers offer single-day access to Center Ice for $7-$10 per day.
Streaming options
While most fans subscribe through their cable/satellite provider, you can also get NHL Center Ice as a streaming package:
- NHL TV – $144.99 for the season
- FuboTV – $11/month added to base package
How to order NHL Center Ice
Ordering NHL Center Ice is easy and can be done directly through your TV provider. Here are the steps to subscribe:
- Check availability – Make sure your TV provider offers Center Ice. Most major cable and satellite companies provide access.
- Call your provider – Contact your cable or satellite company by phone or chat. Tell them you want to order Center Ice.
- Select a package – Choose the season pass or a shorter subscription period. Ask about any new customer promotions or discounts.
- Provide billing info – Supply your account number and payment details. One-time or recurring billing may be available.
- Watch – NHL Center Ice will be activated on your account within minutes or hours. Tune to the Center Ice channels and enjoy the games!
Make sure to order a few days before the season begins on October 7th so everything is set up in time for opening night.
Activate streaming access
If you order Center Ice directly from the NHL website or a streaming provider, you’ll need to create an NHL.com account and link it to your subscription to activate access across your devices.
What hockey is included?
NHL Center Ice shows regular season NHL games only. It does not include preseason or exhibition games.
Postseason games like the Stanley Cup Playoffs and Finals require a separate package or channel subscription. NHL Center Ice is a regular season out-of-market package.
Center Ice primarily covers NHL matchups. However, some special hockey events like the Winter Classic or All-Star game may be broadcast as well.
Local blackouts
Games for your local in-market team will be blacked out on Center Ice. This is due to regional broadcast restrictions. Check your local listings for channel details to watch your home team.
Canadian markets
Center Ice is focused on the US NHL market. Canadian viewers will have broader access to hockey on their local sports networks. Center Ice access primarily benefits US fans looking to follow Canadian teams.
Watching NHL Center Ice
Once your Center Ice subscription is activated, watching the games is easy. Here are some tips:
- Tune to the NHL Center Ice channels on your TV guide
- Check the Center Ice schedule for upcoming games and matchups
- Set reminders or recordings for your favorite teams
- Watch in HD for the best picture quality
- Use a streaming device to watch on mobile apps
- Check the scores and standings on the NHL app while watching
Multi-game view
With Center Ice you can watch multiple games at once using the multi-game view. Check your provider’s guide for the dedicated multi-view channels.
These channels have 2, 3, or 4 games on a split screen so you can keep tabs on several matchups at the same time.
Streaming access
Depending on your subscription, you can also stream Center Ice games and content:
- Online at NHL.com and through provider sites/apps
- Through connected devices like Roku, Apple TV, etc.
- On smartphones and tablets via iOS or Android
Pro tips
Take full advantage of your Center Ice package with these pro tips:
- Bookmark the Center Ice schedule and set reminders for must-see games
- Follow multiple teams to catch the best matchups
- Use a DVR to record and save games
- Split your screen using multi-view for key games
- Check game replays and condensed versions to catch up
- Use apps and streaming to watch on-the-go
- Cast games from your phone to your TV
- Listen to live radio feeds for blacked out local games
The best of NHL Center Ice
NHL Center Ice opens up a world of hockey spanning the entire NHL season. Here are some of the best elements to look forward to:
- Out-of-town coverage – Follow your favorite team on the road all season
- Playoff contenders – Tune into top Stanley Cup challengers
- Rivalry games – Catch hard-fought divisional battles
- Star players – Watch superstars from every team
- Emerging rookies – See the NHL’s future stars
- Original broadcasts – Experience the local home crew perspective
- Pre-game shows – Get insights before the puck drops
- Interactive stats – Dive into real-time data and scores
Special events
In addition to great hockey action all season, Center Ice also features exciting NHL events:
- Winter Classic – Outdoor game on New Year’s Day
- All-Star Game – Showcase of NHL superstars
- Stadium Series – Outdoor games in iconic venues
- Heritage Classic – Outdoor game in Canada
Conclusion
NHL Center Ice is the ultimate package for avid pro hockey fans looking to follow the entire NHL season in depth. With access to over 1,000 out-of-market games across 100+ channels, plus multi-game views and streaming, Center Ice offers unlimited hockey coverage.
For $150-$200 depending on your provider, you can get every game from every team all year long. Order through your cable or satellite company for the full experience across your TV, computer, smartphone and other devices.
With NHL Center Ice, you’ll never miss a faceoff, hit, save or goal from the team you follow – no matter where they play across the US and Canada.