Western Hockey League to stream games for free on YouTube
The Western Hockey League (WHL) has announced that its regular season games will be streamed for free on YouTube on an “interim basis” starting with the 2026-27 season. This decision follows the league parting ways with its former media partner, Victory+.
WHL Commissioner Dan Near stated that the move is intended to protect fan access to livestreams as the league seeks to expand its reach. The 2026-27 season is scheduled to begin on Friday, September 18. The league, which consists of 23 teams across Western Canada and the Northwest United States, is a member of the Canadian Hockey League (CHL).
The shift comes amid reports of uncertainty regarding Victory+, which has seen other clients, including the NHL’s Dallas Stars and Anaheim Ducks, leave the platform.
Entities
Canadian Hockey League · Dan Near · Victory+ · Western Hockey League · YouTube
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 4 SOURCES] The WHL consists of 23 hockey teams located in Western Canada and the Northwest United States. coastmountainnews.com · ashcroftcachecreekjournal.com · clearwatertimes.com · pqbnews.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] The 2026-27 WHL regular season is scheduled to begin on Friday, September 18. coastmountainnews.com · ashcroftcachecreekjournal.com · clearwatertimes.com · pqbnews.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] Victory+ may shut down following the departure of the WHL and NHL teams Dallas Stars and Anaheim Ducks. coastmountainnews.com · ashcroftcachecreekjournal.com · clearwatertimes.com · pqbnews.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] The WHL has ended its media partnership with Victory+. coastmountainnews.com · ashcroftcachecreekjournal.com · clearwatertimes.com · pqbnews.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] The Western Hockey League will stream regular season games for free on YouTube on an interim basis. coastmountainnews.com · ashcroftcachecreekjournal.com · clearwatertimes.com · pqbnews.com