Out-of-market NHL games are games your local TV or regional sports network does not carry, usually because the team is playing outside your broadcast region. In practice, that means you can often watch those games through league streaming packages, while local blackouts still apply for in-market games and many nationally televised games.

Quick Scoop

If you live in one city and want to follow a team from another city, that team’s games are typically out of market for you. For example, a Flyers fan in Los Angeles or a Kings fan in Philadelphia would usually need an out- of-market option to watch most of those games.

What it means

  • In-market: Your local area has broadcast rights, so the game is usually available on local TV or regional sports networks.
  • Out-of-market: Your local area does not have those rights, so the game is typically available through a wider league package or streaming service.
  • Blackouts: Even if a service carries the game, you may still be blocked from watching it live if it is also being shown locally or nationally.

Common example

If you are a Chicago Blackhawks fan living in Florida, most Blackhawks games would be out of market for you because your local stations usually do not carry them.

Why fans care

Out-of-market access matters because it lets fans follow a team they do not live near, instead of being limited to only local broadcasts. NHL out-of- market packages are specifically built to fill that gap, though blackout rules can still limit live viewing in some cases.

If you want, I can also explain how to watch out-of-market NHL games legally in the U.S. or Canada.