If you’re a college hockey fan, you already know that April is the most stressful month of the year. Forget the basketball brackets for a second. We’re talking about the ice. Specifically, we're talking about the 2026 Frozen Four TV schedule, which is finally taking shape as the road to Las Vegas gets narrower.
Honestly, watching college hockey on TV has always been a bit of a scavenger hunt. One game is on a random cable channel, the next is buried deep in a streaming app you forgot you paid for, and the national championship is somewhere else entirely. But for 2026, the blueprint is pretty clear. If you want to see who lifts the trophy at T-Mobile Arena, you need to know exactly where to point your remote—and when to clear your Thursday night.
The Men’s Frozen Four TV Schedule: Mark Your Calendar
The big show is heading to Vegas. For the first time ever, the Men's Frozen Four will be held at T-Mobile Arena, the home of the Golden Knights. This is a massive deal for the sport. The atmosphere is going to be electric, but if you aren't lucky enough to have a seat in the stands, the TV schedule is your lifeline.
Here is how the national semifinals look for Thursday, April 9, 2026:
- Semifinal #1: 5:00 p.m. ET (ESPN2 / ESPN+)
- Semifinal #2: 8:30 p.m. ET (ESPN2 / ESPN+)
Usually, the NCAA tries to keep these times consistent, but they can slide a bit depending on whether the first game goes into a quadruple-overtime heartbreaker. It happens.
Then, the one that matters most. The National Championship Game is set for Saturday, April 11, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. ET. This game typically airs on ESPN2, and it will be simulcast on ESPN+.
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Basically, if you have a subscription to the Disney/ESPN streaming bundle, you're set. If you're a cable cutter using a service like Fubo or YouTube TV, make sure your package actually includes ESPN2, or you’ll be staring at a blank screen while your Twitter feed spoils the goals.
Why the Women’s Schedule Hits Different
Don't sleep on the women's side of the bracket. The talent level in the women’s game right now is arguably the highest it’s ever been. The 2026 Women's Frozen Four is heading to University Park, Pennsylvania, at Penn State’s Pegula Ice Arena.
The frozen four tv schedule for the women is actually a bit more streamlined, though it requires a streaming-first mindset.
- Semifinals: Friday, March 20, 2026. These games are almost exclusively on ESPN+.
- National Championship: Sunday, March 22, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. ET. This one is expected to air on ESPNU and stream on ESPN+.
It’s a bit of a bummer that the semifinals often stay on the streaming app rather than a main cable channel, but the upside is that you can watch it anywhere on your phone. If you're in Canada, TSN+ is generally the home for both the men’s and women’s tournaments.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Regionals
A lot of fans wait until the "Frozen Four" specifically to start looking for the TV schedule. That is a mistake. The tournament actually kicks off with the Regionals in late March. For 2026, the men's regional sites are:
- Northeast: Albany, NY (MVP Arena)
- East: Worcester, MA (DCU Center)
- Midwest: Sioux Falls, SD (Denny Sanford Premier Center)
- West: Loveland, CO (Budweiser Events Center)
These games start around March 26-27, 2026. This is where the chaos happens. ESPN usually spreads these games across ESPN2, ESPNU, and ESPNews. If you don’t have the "sports tier" on your cable plan, you might miss the first two rounds.
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Streaming vs. Cable: The Best Way to Watch
If you're trying to figure out the cheapest way to catch the full frozen four tv schedule, here is the reality.
Buying a one-month subscription to ESPN+ is the most cost-effective move. It covers almost every single game from the regionals through the finals. However, some people hate the slight delay that comes with streaming. If you want the fastest "live" experience, a live TV streaming service like Hulu + Live TV or YouTube TV is the way to go because they include the linear channels like ESPN2 and ESPNU.
If you’re a die-hard who wants to see the Hobey Baker Award ceremony—the "Heisman of hockey"—keep an eye on NHL Network. They usually broadcast the ceremony on the Friday between the semifinals and the championship game (April 10, 2026).
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The Vegas Factor: What to Expect
Having the tournament in Las Vegas changes the "vibe" of the TV broadcast. Expect a lot of "hockey in the desert" narratives from the announcers. The University of North Dakota is the host school for this event, which is hilarious given they are about 1,300 miles away from the arena, but they have one of the best traveling fanbases in the world.
If North Dakota makes it to the final four, the TV ratings will be huge.
Actionable Steps for Fans
- Audit your streaming: Check if your current plan includes ESPN2 and ESPNU. If not, look into a trial for Fubo or a month of ESPN+ before March 20.
- Set your DVR early: Regional games often start during the workday (Thursday/Friday). Set your recordings for the "NCAA Hockey Tournament" now so you don't miss the 2 p.m. puck drops.
- Canada viewers: Ensure your TSN+ subscription is active, as they have different rights than the US-based ESPN.
- Finals check: Verify your local listings for the April 11 championship game; while it’s slated for 5:30 p.m. ET, pre-game coverage often starts 30 minutes prior.
The 2026 season is shaping up to be a wild one. Between the move to Vegas and the shift in conference power, having the right TV schedule is the only way to ensure you don't miss the next big upset.