International Hockey Thrives with 4 Nations Face-Off, Setting Record Audiences for ESPN
The 4 Nations Face-Off, a prestigious international hockey tournament, showcased the immense popularity of the sport and delivered record-breaking viewership for ESPN.
ESPN’s Biggest Hockey Audience Ever
The Thursday night championship game between the United States and Canada, won by Canada 3-2 in overtime thanks to a goal by Edmonton Oilers star Connor McDavid, garnered an astounding 9.3 million viewers on average, the highest hockey audience ever for ESPN. The game peaked at an impressive 10.4 million viewers.
This viewership record surpasses ESPN’s previous top hockey telecast, the Florida Panthers’ victory against the Oilers in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final, which averaged 7.7 million viewers on ABC.
ESPN+ Sees Record Non-NFL Viewership
ESPN also reported that Thursday’s game was its most-viewed non-NFL event on ESPN+, the network’s streaming platform. This remarkable achievement further underscores the tournament’s resounding success.
‘A Big Success’ for Hockey
"I think [the tournament] was a big success overall for hockey, a lot of viewers and a lot of fun," said Gustav Forsling, Team Sweden/Panthers defenseman, to reporters. He described the tournament as "very fast hockey," "surreal," and "a memory for life."
Appetizer for Olympic Return
The 4 Nations Face-Off tournament served as an appetizer for the NHL’s return to the Olympics, where players will once again compete for their respective nations in February 2026. The NHL and players association have also announced the return of the World Cup of Hockey in 2028, further solidifying the international reach of the sport.
Overwhelming Success Compared to 2016 World Cup
The 4 Nations Face-Off outperformed the 2016 World Cup of Hockey, the last international tournament featuring top NHL players. According to ESPN, the four games carried on ESPN and ABC averaged 4.3 million viewers, a 1079% increase from the 2016 games on ESPN.
Canadian Success on Sportsnet
Canada’s Sportsnet reported similarly positive ratings for the tournament. The Thursday night game averaged 5.7 million viewers and reached 10.7 million Canadians, with a peak audience of 7.3 million when McDavid scored his game-winning goal.
Conclusion
The 4 Nations Face-Off tournament has been an unequivocal success, showcasing the enduring popularity of international hockey and setting new viewership records. With the NHL’s return to the Olympics and the upcoming World Cup of Hockey, the future of international hockey is bright, promising continued growth and excitement for fans worldwide.
