Live Swedish Hockey League TV & Broadcast Schedule

The SHL is the top professional ice hockey league in Sweden. It's a 14-team competition that runs from September through April, with the playoffs wrapping up in the spring. The league is known for producing NHL talent and playing a fast, technical style of hockey. The playoffs are underway, with teams battling for the Le Mat Trophy.

Top teams

Färjestad BK is the most successful club in SHL history. They've won multiple championships and have a passionate fan base. Växjö Lakers, Skellefteå AIK, and Rögle BK are regular contenders. Frölunda HC, Djurgårdens IF, and Leksands IF are other traditional powerhouses. The league is competitive. Any of six or seven teams can win it in a given year.

Format

The league has 14 teams. Each plays each other twice in the regular season. The top six teams advance directly to the quarterfinals. The teams ranked 7th through 10th play a wild-card round to fill the remaining two spots. The playoffs are best-of-seven series. The final is also best-of-seven for the Le Mat Trophy. The bottom two teams go into a relegation playoff against top teams from HockeyAllsvenskan.

Viewership

The SHL pulls strong numbers across Sweden. The playoffs draw the biggest audiences, especially the final series. The league is a cultural institution in Sweden. Hockey is one of the most popular sports in the country. International interest comes from NHL scouts and hockey fans who follow Swedish prospects.

Streaming options in Sweden

In Sweden, TV4 Play is the home of the SHL. A TV4 Play Sport Total subscription is required to watch all matches. The service streams every regular season and playoff game live. Some matches also air on TV4's linear channels. For full access, a subscription to TV4 Play Sport Hockey is needed.

TV options in Sweden

TV4 holds the broadcast rights for the SHL through 2030. Select matches air on TV4 and TV12. However, the majority of games are on the TV4 Play streaming platform. A TV subscription with the TV4 Sport Max add-on package is required for linear TV access.

International streaming options

For fans outside Sweden, TV4 Play is geo-blocked. International viewers can access SHL games through a VPN connected to a Swedish server. Some matches may also be available through local sports broadcasters in other countries. In Poland, Viaplay has previously carried SHL games, but rights vary by season. For the most reliable access, a VPN and TV4 Play subscription is the best option.

Current season

The 2025-26 SHL season kicked off in September 2025. The regular season wrapped up in March. The playoffs are happening now in April. Färjestad BK are the defending champions after winning the 2024-25 title. Växjö Lakers and Skellefteå AIK are pushing them this year. The championship final is scheduled for later this month. TV4 Play streams all playoff matches live.