Finding the right channel for a Dallas Stars game has become a bit of a scavenger hunt lately. Honestly, if you feel like you need a master’s degree in media rights just to see a puck drop, you aren't alone. Between the new streaming apps, the national cable deals, and the local blackouts, it’s a lot to track.
If you're asking where can I watch the Stars game tonight, the answer depends entirely on your zip code and who they’re playing. For tonight, Saturday, January 17, 2026, there’s actually a bit of a twist. The Dallas Stars are currently in a brief break between games. They just wrapped up a road trip against the Anaheim Ducks and are preparing for a home stand at the American Airlines Center.
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The next time you’ll see the Victory Green on your screen is tomorrow, Sunday, January 18. They’ll be facing off against the Tampa Bay Lightning at 1:00 PM CST. Since it’s a weekend afternoon game, the broadcast details are specific, but here is exactly how you’ll catch the action and how to navigate the rest of the 2026 season.
Where Can I Watch the Stars Game Tonight and This Season?
The landscape changed significantly this year. The biggest news for local fans was the launch of Victory+. This is a free, ad-supported streaming service specifically for fans in the Stars' home territory. If you live in Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, or Arkansas, this is your new best friend. You don't need a cable subscription for it; you just download the app and watch.
However, if the game is on "National TV," Victory+ goes dark. It’s a rights issue. For the 2025-26 season, the Stars have 16 games designated as national broadcasts. These land on:
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- ESPN / ABC (Traditional cable or over-the-air)
- TNT (Often includes a simulcast on Max)
- ESPN+ / Hulu (Exclusive digital-only national games)
For that Sunday afternoon game against the Lightning, you're looking at a local broadcast. If you’re in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, you can find it on Victory+. If you’re an old-school fan who prefers a literal TV channel, the team recently expanded its partnership with KDFW FOX 4 and KDFI More 27 to air select games over the air.
The Out-of-Market Struggle
What if you're a Stars fan living in Chicago or New York? You basically have one option: ESPN+. Through the "NHL Power Play" package, almost every out-of-market game is streamed there. Just keep in mind that if the Stars play the team in your local city, it will be blacked out on ESPN+ and you'll have to watch it on whatever regional sports network covers your local team.
Breaking Down the Schedule and Channels
It’s easy to get confused when the game is on TNT one night and a free app the next. Basically, the NHL split the pie into many pieces.
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For the game coming up tomorrow against Tampa Bay, it's a 1:00 PM CST start. This is a "Home" broadcast for Dallas. For local viewers, it’s Victory+. For the Tampa market, it’ll be on their respective regional network. For everyone else in the US, check ESPN+.
Looking further ahead in January 2026, the schedule gets busy:
- Jan 20 vs. Boston: This is a big one. It's on TNT and HBO Max at 6:30 PM. Since it's national, Victory+ won't have it.
- Jan 22 at Columbus: Back to Victory+ for locals and ESPN+ for out-of-market folks.
- Jan 23 vs. St. Louis: Another Victory+ night.
Why Is My Game Blacked Out?
Blackouts are the bane of every hockey fan's existence. Here is the deal: if a local station or a national broadcaster has "exclusive" rights to a game, no one else can show it in that area.
If you try to watch a Stars game on ESPN+ while sitting in a Dallas living room, it will tell you the content is unavailable. That’s because the NHL wants you to watch it on the "local" provider—which is now Victory+. Conversely, if the game is on TNT, you can’t watch it on Victory+ because TNT paid millions for the exclusive right to those viewers for that night.
The Best Ways to Stream Without Cable
You've got options. If you’ve cut the cord, you aren't out of luck.
- The Victory+ App: It’s free. No, seriously. You just create an account. It’s available on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and most mobile devices.
- Sling TV / YouTube TV: These are great for the national games on TNT and ESPN. Note that Sling's "Orange" package is usually the one with the sports channels you need.
- Max (formerly HBO Max): If the game is on TNT, it’s almost always streaming on Max as well through their B/R Sports Add-on.
- Hulu + Live TV: This is a powerhouse because it includes ESPN+ and the national Disney-owned channels in one bundle.
Actionable Steps for the Next Game
Don't wait until five minutes after puck drop to figure this out. The app login might fail, or you might realize your subscription expired.
- Download Victory+ now. If you're in the four-state region (TX, OK, LA, AR), get it set up on your TV today. Don't wait for Sunday afternoon.
- Check the National Schedule. Keep a screenshot of the national TV dates on your phone. If it’s a Tuesday night game against a "Big Market" team like the Bruins or Rangers, there’s a high chance it’s on TNT or ESPN.
- Sync your calendar. The Stars official website offers a "sync to calendar" feature. It usually updates with the specific broadcast channel a few days before each game.
Hockey moves fast. The broadcast rights move even faster. By the time the Stars hit the ice tomorrow against the Lightning, make sure you know exactly which remote you need to pick up. For tonight, enjoy the rest of the NHL slate—maybe check out the Colorado or Vegas games to see how the Central Division standings are shifting—and get ready for a Sunday matinee at the AAC.