Canadian hockey fans in a rage after latest Sportsnet price increase

Sportsnet+ subscribers have been notified today that the cost of its service for the 2026-27 NHL season will be increasing in price from $329 to $344. And suffice it to say... fans aren't happy.

This follows a 30% increase from 2025 prices... yeesh.

Sportsnet+ was launched by Rogers as the successor to Sportsnet NOW, giving Canadian sports fans a streaming alternative to traditional cable. For hockey fans in particular, the platform has become one of the primary ways to watch NHL games, offering access to national broadcasts, regional games, the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and, with a Premium subscription, more than 1,000 out-of-market games. While the service provides one of the most comprehensive legal options for streaming hockey in Canada, it has also become one of the most criticized.

The biggest complaint from subscribers has been the platform's steadily increasing price. Sportsnet+ Standard now costs nearly $30 per month, while the Premium package exceeds $40 per month, making it one of the most expensive sports streaming services in North America. Annual subscriptions have also climbed significantly over the past two years, leaving many fans questioning whether the value matches the cost. The frustration has only intensified as additional NHL content has become fragmented across multiple platforms, forcing some fans to subscribe to services such as Amazon Prime Video or TSN in addition to Sportsnet+ to watch every game involving their favorite team.

Regional NHL blackouts have been an even greater source of criticism. Although Sportsnet notes that blackout restrictions are mandated by the NHL's broadcasting agreements rather than by Rogers itself, many subscribers argue that paying a premium price should guarantee access to every game. Instead, Standard subscribers are still subject to regional restrictions, while even Premium subscribers can lose access to games carried by another broadcaster in their local market. As a result, fans often find themselves paying hundreds of dollars annually while still discovering that certain games are unavailable.

Those restrictions have led to widespread frustration across social media and online hockey communities. Many fans argue that the complicated web of blackout rules, exclusive streaming rights, and rising subscription costs has made it harder than ever to legally watch the NHL. Some have even suggested the current model inadvertently pushes viewers toward unauthorized streaming options because the legal product is viewed as too expensive and too restrictive.

To Sportsnet's credit, the platform generally delivers reliable HD streams, multiple device compatibility, and complete coverage of marquee events such as Hockey Night in Canada and every Stanley Cup Playoff game. However, for many Canadian hockey fans, those positives continue to be overshadowed by escalating subscription prices and blackout policies that remain among the most unpopular aspects of the NHL's current broadcasting landscape.