NHL Stadium Series Viewership Doubles Winter Classic Audience
The NHL Stadium Series continues to captivate audiences, surpassing viewership for the traditional Winter Classic. The latest matchup in the series, featuring the Boston Bruins and the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2026, garnered an impressive 2.1 million viewers on ESPN. This figure marks ESPN’s most-watched regular season NHL game ever, and the highest viewership since the Bruins faced the Blackhawks in the Winter Classic back in January 2019.
NHL Viewership Trends: Stadium Series vs. Winter Classic
In sharp contrast, the 2026 Winter Classic attracted only 978,000 viewers across TNT and TruTV. However, including streaming numbers from HBO Max increases that total to over one million, as noted by TNT Sports. This shift highlights the challenges facing the Winter Classic, particularly due to the strong presence of college football during the same timeframe. Notably, this season, the Winter Classic’s date was adjusted to January 2 to sidestep college football conflicts.
Comparison of Major NHL Games
The disparity in viewership raises questions about the Winter Classic’s future. Data from TV Media Blog Substack reveals that six out of the top seven most-watched NHL games on cable aired on ESPN, with the Winter Classic being the sole exception. Additionally, four NHL games this season on ABC have surpassed the Winter Classic’s viewership.
- 2026 Stadium Series: 2.1 million viewers
- 2026 Winter Classic: 978,000 viewers (over 1 million with streaming)
Growing Popularity of the NHL on ESPN and ABC
The 2026 Stadium Series also saw a 30% increase in viewership compared to last year’s matchup between the Red Wings and the Blue Jackets. This rise may partly result from Nielsen’s updated Big Data measurement techniques. Remarkably, the Stadium Series outperformed every NBA game aired on ESPN and ABC that weekend.
Overall, NHL games on ESPN and ABC are averaging 795,000 viewers this season, reflecting a substantial 39% increase from the previous year. In comparison, TNT games average 340,000 viewers, which represents only a 2% rise from last year.
Looking Ahead: Future NHL Events
Next year, the NHL’s Stadium Series will feature a matchup between the Golden Knights and Dallas Stars at AT&T Stadium. This event is scheduled to air in prime time on ABC. The NHL’s partnership with ESPN suggests a strategic direction aimed at increasing its overall viewership and strengthening marquee events.
To elevate the Winter Classic as a premier event in the NHL calendar, the league may need to consider relocating it to an over-the-air television network. This could enhance its visibility and competitiveness in the broader sports landscape.
