REPORT: Canada-USA 4 Nations Face-Off Championship Game Broke Incredible Ratings Record

Matthew Tkachuk and Sidney Crosby shaking hands.

The highly-anticipated 4 Nations Face-Off championship game between Canada and the United States delivered record-setting ratings numbers south of the border.

In another showdown between the two international hockey powers, it was Team Canada that emerged victorious 3-2 in the championship game, with Connor McDavid scoring the game-winner in overtime:

The 4 Nations Face-Off was introduced as an alternative to the NHL All-Star weekend, serving as the first best-on-best tournament since the 2016 World Cup of Hockey. And for the fourth straight best-on-best tourney, it was the Canadians who emerged victorious.

According to ESPN, the game delivered 9.3 million viewers and peaked at 10.4 million. This game marked the largest audience ever for a hockey game on the Worldwide Leader in Sports and the biggest non-NFL event on ESPN+.

Sportsnet, the network that aired the game in Canada, reported that its broadcast averaged 5.7 million Canadian viewers and reached 10.7 million Canadians. This marks the second-most watched hockey game in the network’s history.

Fortunately, hockey fans won’t have to wait nine years for the next best-on-best tournament. For the first time since 2014, NHL players will participate in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy.

Fortunately, hockey fans won’t have to wait nine years for the next best-on-best tournament. For the first time since 2014, NHL players will participate in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy.

Team Canada celebrating.
Talk to any NHL analyst or hockey fan, and most of them will admit that the 4 Nations Face-Off completely exceeded their expectations. To many, it felt like nothing more than a flashier alternative to the All-Star Game.

But Canada, USA, Finland and Sweden gave fans a terrific showing of world-class hockey between the world’s greatest players. The Canada-USA rivalry was especially high because of President Donald Trump’s calls for the Great White North to become America’s 51st state.

Canada and USA delivered two instant classics for everyone, and it’s no wonder the NHL has already vowed 2028 and 2032 World Cup of Hockey tournaments to ensure more best-on-best tournaments after a nine-year hiatus.