Game 1 of Stanley Cup Final averages 4.8 million viewers

Game 1 of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final featured the Vegas Golden Knights against the Carolina Hurricanes and averaged 4.8 million viewers on ABC, the largest audience for a Game 1 since 2019. The viewership peaked at 5.5 million during the third period. This match shows a significant increase of 98% compared to last year's Game 1 and a 54% rise over the 2024 matchup. The NHL has seen overall strong viewership trends across the playoffs, with notable increases in both the Conference Finals and first-round matches. As the series progresses, viewership levels indicate a potential record-setting Stanley Cup Final for the NHL.

• 1:15 AMYahoo Sports — Stanley Cup Final Game 1 draws biggest audience since 2019