Nine and NHL Partnership: Bringing Live NHL Games to Australian Audiences
A new partnership between Nine and the National Hockey League (NHL) will bring live NHL games to Australian audiences on 9GO! every Saturday morning during the 2025/26 regular season. The collaboration will showcase 21 regular-season games, starting with the Tampa Bay Lightning facing off against the Detroit Red Wings at 10:00 am AEDT on 9GO! and 9Now.
The broadcast feed, tailored for the Australian market, will feature dedicated commentators offering play-by-play commentary and analysis customized for Australian viewers. Additionally, viewers can expect specialized intermission coverage with in-depth analysis, player profiles, and explanations of the game's rules to engage both new and existing fans.
The 2025-26 NHL season will include a pause from Feb. 6-24 for the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026, where top NHL players will compete. Nine's commentary team will highlight this storyline, connecting fans with the players representing their countries on the world stage and building anticipation for Nine's exclusive coverage of the Olympic Winter Olympics.
Brent Williams, Nine’s Director of Sport, expressed excitement about the partnership, emphasizing the tailored viewing experience and commitment to growing the sport in Australia. The collaboration aims to provide fans with the best possible coverage and build excitement for the upcoming Winter Olympics.
Daniel Kim, NHL Executive Vice President, Media & International Strategy, highlighted the NHL's commitment to expanding its fan base in Australia through partnerships like this one. The success of the NHL Global Series Melbourne and the growing enthusiasm for hockey initiatives in Australia demonstrate the impact of the NHL's investment in the region.
In 2023, the NHL Global Series-Melbourne featured the Los Angeles Kings and Arizona Coyotes in the first-ever NHL games in the Southern Hemisphere. The event included sold-out preseason games, the NHL Global Fan Tour, coaching clinics, and youth hockey initiatives. Australian-born St. Louis Blues forward Nathan Walker, currently in his eighth NHL season, made history as the first player of Australian nationality to play in the League.
In conclusion, the partnership between Nine and the NHL will provide Australian audiences with unprecedented access to live NHL games, enhancing the viewing experience with tailored commentary and specialized content. The collaboration aims to grow the sport in Australia and build excitement for the upcoming Winter Olympics, showcasing the world's premier professional ice hockey league to a new audience.