The NHL’s 4 Nations Face-Off Gives ESPN Another Ratings Hit

While the NBA muddled through another pointless All-Star Weekend, the nation’s attention was captured by the NHL, who began its first-ever 4 Nations Face-Off last Wednesday.

For those who haven’t been paying attention, 4 Nations is a round-robin tournament in which hockey’s biggest stars are divided into teams based on their country of origin.

The United States, Canada, Finland, and Sweden are squaring of in the 4 Nations Face-Off. Photo: NHL

So far, teams representing the United States, Canada, Finland, and Sweden are squaring off and have delivered some of the best hockey that we have ever seen.

Canada Vs. The United States Captivated the Nation

So far, the highlight of the 4 Nations Cup has undisputedly been last Saturday’s matchup between Canada and the United States. Taking place in Montreal Bell Centre, the game started with the Canadian crowd booing the United States National Anthem and three fights in the nine seconds of the game.

For ABC and ESPN, who have been broadcasting the tournament, the game between the United States and Canada was an undisputed success.

Photo: ESPN

The game delivered 4.4 million viewers, which was 437% higher than ESPN’s broadcast of the World Cup of Hockey USA-Canada game in 2016.

Viewership was also 369% higher than the average audience of the NHL on ABC this season, making it the most-viewed non-Stanley Cup Final hockey telecast since 2019.

The Final Looms

With the United States and Canada poised to square off again in the 4 Nation’s final, ESPN should have another ratings bonanza to look forward to.

Photo: ESPN

The dramatic finale will play out Thursday night on ABC and Disney+.

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