How to Watch the 2026 World Junior Hockey Championships Online Free

· Rolling Stone

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The IIHF World Junior Championships return this week, with the best under-20 hockey players from around the world facing off. The United States will host this year’s tournament, with hosting duties shared by the twin cities of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. The U.S. will be looking for a three-peat, having won the 2025 and 2024 tournaments.

At a Glance: How to Watch IIHF World Junior Championship

Draft-eligible players are contending, as NHL teams look to the next generation of potential stars. One of the most notable names is Gavin McKenna, the 18-year-old forward who is looking to lead Team Canada to its 21st title.

Top U.S. talent includes James Hagens, the 19-year-old center. Star winger Trevor Connelly was ruled out of the tournament due to an injury.

How to Watch the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship

If you’re looking to catch the tournament live, it airs on NHL Network in the U.S. and TSN in Canada. The group stage kicks off on Dec. 26, when both the U.S. and Canada will play. The quarterfinal, semifinal, and championship games will be held on Jan. 2, Jan. 4, and Jan. 5, respectively.

Here’s where you can watch the IIHF World Junior Championships if you don’t have cable, including options with free trials.

DirecTV

get free trial

DirecTV carries the NHL Network in its Ultimate and Premier packages. DirecTV Stream also offers a five-day free trial. Alternatively, you can sign up for the MySports Genre Pack, which includes NHL Network, plus other networks that carry hockey, like ESPN Unlimited and TNT.

Fubo

get free trial

NHL Network is offered in a variety of Fubo packages. You can get NHL Network with the Sports Plus, Sports Lite, or Fubo Plus packages. It’s also available with Fubo’s Elite plan. Fubo also offers a five-day free trial, plus a discount on your first month.

Sling

sign up now

NHL Network is available with Sling’s Select plan with the Sports Extra package. Sling is more affordable than other live streaming services, but it does not offer a free trial.

2026 World Junior Championship Schedule

You can check out the full breakdown of the World Junior Championship Schedule below. All times are in ET. All matches are airing on NHL Network and TSN, except where noted.

Dec. 26

Sweden vs. Slovakia; 1 p.m.
Denmark vs. Finland; 3:30 p.m.
Germany vs. United States; 6 p.m.
Canada vs. Czechia; 8:30 p.m.

Dec. 27

Slovakia vs. Germany; 2 p.m. (NHLN, TSN3)
Latvia vs. Canada; 4:30 p.m. (TSN)
United States vs. Switzerland; 6 p.m. (NHLN, TSN3)
Denmark vs. Czechia; 8:30 p.m.

Dec. 28

Sweden vs. Switzerland; 2 p.m.
Finland vs. Latvia; 4:30 p.m.

Dec. 29

Germany vs. Sweden; 1 p.m.
Finland vs. Czechia; 3:30 p.m.
Slovakia vs. United States; 6 p.m.
Canada vs. Denmark; 8:30 p.m.

Dec. 30

Switzerland vs. Germany; 2 p.m.
Latvia vs. Denmark; 4:30 p.m.

Dec. 31

Switzerland vs. Slovakia; 1 p.m.
Czechia vs. Latvia; 3:30 p.m.
United States vs. Sweden; 6 p.m.
Canada vs. Finland; 8:30 p.m.

Jan. 2

Relegation game, 3M Arena; 12:30 p.m.
Quarterfinal 1, Grand Casino Arena; 2 p.m.
Quarterfinal 2, 3M Arena; 4:30 p.m.
Quarterfinal 3, Grand Casino Arena; 6 p.m.
Quarterfinal 4, 3M Arena; 8:30 p.m.

Jan. 4 (Grand Casino Arena)

Semifinal 1; 4:30 p.m.
Semifinal 2; 8:30 p.m.

Jan. 5 (Grand Casino Arena)

Third-place game; 4:30 p.m.
Championship game; 8:30 p.m.