After a thrilling Winter Olympics where Team USA skated away with the gold medal, the ice is heating up again for the 2026 IIHF World Hockey Championship. From May 15 to 31, the world’s top 16 hockey nations will battle it out in Switzerland, with the U.S. men’s team entering as the defending champions. It's the perfect time to gear up for high-stakes international hockey—and we've got you covered on how to catch every game live online for free.
In the U.S., the tournament airs on the NHL Network, which is available through select cable packages. But if you've cut the cord, don't worry—there are easy streaming options to watch the World Hockey Championship from anywhere. DIRECTV Stream is a top choice, offering a live NHL Network feed through its MySports genre pack. Right now, you can snag it for just $44.99/month for the first two months (down from $64.99/month), giving you access to over two dozen sports channels like MLB Network, NBA TV, ESPN, and FS1, plus ESPN Unlimited. Not ready to commit? Take advantage of a five-day free trial to stream the championship online at no cost.
Another fan favorite is Fubo, which includes the NHL Network in its Ultra package. Regularly $83.99/month, it's currently discounted to $53.99 for your first month—perfect for catching all the action without missing a beat. Whether you're a die-hard fan or just getting into the game, these options make it easy to follow Team USA's quest for back-to-back glory. So grab your jersey, settle in, and get ready for some world-class hockey!