Inspiration Gallery
Utah Hockey Club will join the NHL as the league’s 33rd franchise, with its inaugural season slated for 2024‑25. Home games will be played at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, and the team’s schedule will be distributed across the NHL’s national broadcast partners and streaming platforms. For fans wondering how to catch the action, the options fall into three main categories: over‑the‑air TV, cable/satellite channels, and direct‑to‑consumer streaming.
NHL games are shared among a handful of national broadcasters. In the United States, ESPN and TNT hold the primary rights, meaning most Utah Hockey Club matchups will be carried on either ESPN, ESPN2, TNT, or TBS. Regional sports networks may also pick up a selection of games for local viewers, though the exact roster of affiliates is typically announced closer to the season start. Checking the NHL’s official schedule a few weeks before opening night will reveal which channel each specific game will air on.
For viewers who prefer to watch online, the NHL offers two main streaming avenues. ESPN+ streams all games that are broadcast on ESPN or ESPN2, while the NHL’s own service, NHL Live (formerly NHL.TV), provides out‑of‑market access to every game not subject to national blackout restrictions. Additionally, select games airing on TNT or TBS may be available through the streaming platforms associated with those networks, such as the Max app or the TBS website. A reliable broadband connection and a compatible device—smart TV, streaming stick, game console, or mobile phone—are the basic requirements.
Traditional TV delivers a consistent picture quality without worrying about bandwidth fluctuations, and it often includes pre‑game shows, intermission analysis, and post‑game highlights built into the broadcast. Streaming, on the other hand, offers flexibility: you can pause, rewind, or watch on multiple devices, and you may gain access to alternative camera angles or audio feeds offered by the NHL Live platform. The main trade‑off is that streaming can be subject to occasional buffering if your internet speed dips below the recommended 5 Mbps for HD quality, whereas cable or satellite generally provides a steadier signal.
As an expansion team, Utah Hockey Club will likely focus on building a competitive roster rather than contending for the Stanley Cup right away. Early‑season games may feature a mix of veterans and young prospects, which can affect the pace and style of play. Broadcast partners will still treat the franchise like any other NHL team, so production values and commentary will remain consistent with league standards. Fans should anticipate a learning curve both on the ice and in the broadcast ecosystem, but the core ways to watch—national TV, cable/satellite, and the two primary streaming options—will be available from the opening face‑off.