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The way the Western Hockey League and its teams, including the Saskatoon Blades and Regina Pats, will broadcast games in the future is changing due to “uncertainty regarding the future of Victory+, the WHL’s exclusive livestreaming partner since March 2025,” the league said in a statement.
The WHL will broadcast games on YouTube on an interim basis, the league said. Broadcasts will remain free for viewers, as they had been on the Victory+ platform.
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“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,” WHL Commissioner Dan Near said in the statement.
According to online reports, Victory+ had seen its contracts with the Texas Rangers, Anaheim Ducks and the National Women’s Soccer League cancelled recently.
The Sports Business Journal reported the issues teams and leagues had been experiencing with the platform were “due to missed rights fee payments.”
Victory+ had livestreamed WHL games over “two playoffs and one regular season,” according to the league’s statement.
The league praised the technical advancements that had been achieved during the time Victory+ had served as its broadcast partner.
The WHL “achieved great success 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. WHL Clubs invested in enhancements to their productions, including additional content, intermission programming, camera angles, and more,” the statement read.
“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 said.
The release states “more information regarding the WHL on YouTube will be made available ahead of the start of the 2026-27 WHL Regular Season.”
The WHL season begins Friday, Sept. 18.
