Feb 20, 2025; Boston, MA, USA; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada forward Nathan MacKinnon (29) receives the Most Valuable Player award from NHL commissioner Gary Bettman after the win against Team USA during the 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey championship game at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images

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4 Nations final between USA and Canada breaks ESPN viewership records with 9.3 million tuning in

4 Nations final sets ESPN records with 9.3M viewers.

The 4 Nations Face-Off final between Team USA and Team Canada wasn’t just another hockey game. It was a broadcasting powerhouse, pulling 9.3 million viewers on ESPN, the highest for any hockey game in the network’s history. At its peak? 10.4 million people were watching.

It wasn’t just big for hockey—it was ESPN’s biggest non-NFL or college football event since the 2024 NBA Finals. If anyone thought midseason international hockey wouldn’t grab attention, they were wrong.

Connor McDavid’s OT winner and Jordan Binnington’s performance made this game a classic

Connor McDavid took over in overtime, scoring 8:18 into extra time at TD Garden, securing Canada’s 3-2 victory over Team USA. Jordan Binnington held the Americans to two goals on 33 shots, a performance that proved crucial. The game wasn’t just a battle of skill—it was a statement from Canada.

ESPN had 9.3 million viewers for last night's 4 Nations final between the USA and Canada.

That makes it the most-watched NHL game in 30+ years. pic.twitter.com/npLOeZvgW3
— Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) February 21, 2025

Back home, 10.7 million Canadians—over a quarter of the country’s population—watched, according to Sportsnet. On their broadcast alone, the audience peaked at 7.3 million when McDavid’s goal hit the net.

The 4 Nations Face-Off final delivered NHL’s biggest U.S. TV audience outside the Olympics

Hockey rarely breaks into mainstream U.S. sports viewership, but this game did. It became the most-watched non-Olympic hockey game ever.

The last time a hockey audience came close? Game 7 of the 2019 Stanley Cup Final between the Boston Bruins and St. Louis Blues, which pulled in 8.9 million viewers.

The 16.1 million combined across ESPN and Sportsnet proves that when Team USA and Team Canada face off, people tune in. And for anyone saying hockey isn’t a ratings driver? This game went head-to-head with The Masters (9.59M) and a Big Ten football game (9.33M)—and won.

Image: Imagn Images

4 Nations Face-Off final

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