Western Hockey League (WHL) games are shifting to YouTube for the 2026-27 season, on an interim basis, following uncertainty regarding the future of Victory+, the league’s exclusive livestreaming partner since March of last year.
The free ad-supported streaming (FAST) service, owned by Calgary-based A Parent Media Co., launched ahead of the 2024-25 NHL season.
Victory+ was first established in partnership with the Dallas Stars to offer in-market streaming of regional Stars games not broadcast by one of the NHL’s national media partners. Despite signing subsequent streaming deals with the Anaheim Ducks, Texas Rangers, and National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), uncertainty has plagued the service since earlier in the summer as teams terminated their contracts. The Dallas Morning News reported earlier this week that Victory+ was winding down operations, citing an email sent to school districts where games were scheduled to livestream.
The WHL says over two playoffs and one regular season of livestreaming on Victory+, its partnership with the service was successful “with millions of viewers tuning in, generating unprecedented exposure and reach for WHL Clubs and players, representing a significant step forward in accessibility for fans.”
“The WHL’s audience is growing rapidly. We continue to believe that providing easy access to games is of critical value and importance as we look to expand our reach and deliver WHL excitement to our fans,” said WHL Commissioner Dan Near, in a league announcement. “By moving WHL Regular Season games to YouTube on a short-term basis, we are protecting that access for fans to livestream their favourite WHL Club and watch their favourite WHL stars when the 2026-27 season gets underway Friday, September 18.”
“While we are disappointed to part ways, our time with Victory+ resulted in remarkable growth and exposure for the WHL as a result of the increased accessibility for fans,” Near continued. “WHL Clubs pushed forward, investing in their production and exploring new ways to deliver games to fans via our livestreaming product. To this day, we hear accounts from fans who discovered the WHL because of our decision to work alongside Victory+, a company with Western Canadian roots. In today’s changing landscape, accessibility to the product is paramount and we will explore all options to deliver games to WHL fans around the world.”
The WHL says it remains committed to delivering a premium livestreaming experience for fans, promising that the same production quality will be maintained.
