Fewer blackouts promised as Rogers and the NHL sign ‘landmark’ $11B deal

The NHL will live on Sportsnet for the foreseeable future.

Rogers Communications and the NHL announced this morning that the two sides have signed a 12-year agreement for the league’s national media rights in Canada.

It’s an $11-billion agreement that will begin in 2026-27 after the conclusion of the current 12-year deal.

"We could not be more excited to work with you to bring the best of the NHL to our fans."

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman on the new 12-year agreement between @Rogers and the @NHL pic.twitter.com/CzuR0RQhGl

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 2, 2025

“We’re thrilled to continue our landmark partnership for an additional 12 years,” NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said of the new agreement.

“The NHL and Rogers have a shared commitment to best serving Canadian fans and the unmatched passion that they have for our game, and we are particularly excited that through this agreement, we’ll bring more live games to more fans across Canada.”

One of the biggest complaints from Canadian fans in recent years has been the number of regional games preventing fans from watching their favourite team in other markets.

Rogers is promising “more live national games than ever before and fewer regional blackouts” as part of the new agreement.

Other highlights of the 12-year deal include:

• National rights across all platforms, including TV, digital and streaming, for all national regular season games, in all languages.
• National rights to all playoff games, the Stanley Cup Final and all special events, and tentpole events, in all languages.
• Out-of-market rights for all regional games.
• The exclusive category sponsor for the NHL and all NHL tentpole events held in Canada.

“Hockey is part of the fabric of Canadian culture and our long-term relationship with the NHL helped make Sportsnet Canada’s number one sports media brand,” said Colette Watson, president of Rogers Sports & Media.

“Canadians overwhelmingly choose Sportsnet, and we are investing in this partnership, so fans have access to more games, more content and more choice from their favourite teams across the league.”