Live Stream 2026 Winter Games Free From Anywhere

The Winter Olympics are in full force, and ice hockey has provided some of the most thrilling competition so far. Our team has put together everything you need to know about how to watch Olympic ice hockey, including free and global streaming options.

Ice hockey has become one of the most anticipated parts of the Winter Olympics over the past 100 years, and the stakes are only heightened after last year’s frosty Four Nations Face-Off. Additionally, there’s an added layer of hype as it’s the first time in over 10 years that NHL players are allowed to compete. Canada has historically dominated ice hockey in both the men’s and women’s tournaments, but the United States, Finland, and Sweden have also become key fixtures at the Winter Games. Notably, the USA women’s team beat Canada 5-0 in a preliminary game this week, suggesting some stiff competition on the journey for the gold.

The women’s preliminary round kicked off ahead of the official start of the Olympics and is underway now, with one last game between Finland and Canada scheduled before the quarterfinals begin on February 14. The men’s preliminary round kicked off on February 11. Men’s qualifiers will take place on February 17, with the quarterfinals held the following day.

Below, you can find all the details on tuning in, including free options. If you’re hoping to catch other events, make sure to check out our official where to watch the Olympics streaming guide.

How to watch Olympic Ice Hockey in the US

The Olympics will be available through NBCUniversal channels (like NBC, the USA Network, and CNBC) in the US. If you’re hoping to catch all of the action, including all preliminary round ice hockey games, we recommend giving Peacock a try. Peacock is NBCU’s streaming counterpart and it’s the official streaming home of the Winter Olympics. Subscriptions start at $11 a month for Peacock Premium.

If you’d prefer a live TV streaming service with other channels beyond those from NBCUniversal, then apps like DirecTV and Sling will be able to help you out.

DirecTV MySports carries NBC, USA, and CNBC in its 20+ channel line-up. As a bonus, it also unlocks access to ESPN Unlimited. MySports costs $70 a month, but new users can get $10 a month off their first two months of service after a five-day free trial.

Sling TV carries the USA Network and NBC in its Blue plan, although local channels are subject to regional availability, so you should check to see what’s available in your area before signing up. Subscriptions with local channels cost $50 a month for 40+ channels, and you can get CNBC through the News Extra add-on for an additional monthly charge.

How to watch Olympic Ice Hockey in Canada

CBC will host Olympic coverage in Canada. This means that viewers can live stream all of the ice hockey action through CBC Gem, a free live streaming option with loads over coverage.

How to watch Olympic Ice Hockey in the UK

In the UK, TNT Sports will host all of the Winter Olympics events. Viewers can live stream the action through Discovery Plus, where plans cost £4 a month, £31 a month, or £34 a month. Select Olympics coverage will also be available through the BBC. This coverage can be live streamed for free through BBC iPlayer, which just requires account account creation and a valid TV license to use.

How to watch Olympic Ice Hockey in Australia

In Australia, Olympics coverage will be available through 9Now and Stan Sport. 9Now is a free streaming option that just requires account creation to use, but if you’re looking to ensure you can watch all games and sports, the comprehensive Stan Sport will be your best bet. Stan costs $12 a month on its own, and the Sport add-on is another $20 a month, making it $32 a month in total.

How to watch Olympic Ice Hockey from anywhere

If you happen to be away from the location where your streaming service works, you can still keep up with your watch options with the help of a VPN. VPNs, or virtual private networks, are easy-to-use cybersecurity tools that let people alter the virtual locations on their electronic devices. They’re popular services among those looking to access their usual websites and apps while traveling abroad or upgrade their online privacy and security.

NordVPN is one of the best options on the market. It’s fast, user-friendly, and comes with a hassle-free 30-day money-back guarantee if you find that it’s not what you’re looking for. You can learn more about the service in our NordVPN review.

Note: The use of VPNs is illegal in certain countries and using VPNs to access region-locked streaming content might constitute a breach of the terms of use for certain services. Business Insider does not endorse or condone the illegal use of VPNs.