The NHL announced huge viewership numbers for the USA vs Canada game on Saturday, February 15.
The 4 Nations Face-Off matchup featured three fights in the first nine seconds and marked the first non-IIHF/Olympics showdown between the two countries since 2016.
10.1 million across North America watched Saturday’s Canada vs USA showdown
Saturday’s epic matchup between Canada and the USA garnered 10.1 million viewers across North America, up 203 percent from the Canada vs USA game at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey and topping any non-Stanley Cup Final game since 2014 (SN/CITY/SN+/TVA Sports/ABC)
10.1 million viewers across North America watched Saturday’s Canada vs. USA epic #4Nations Face-Off showdown.
They rematch in the championship game on Thursday (8 p.m. ET on @ESPN, @ESPNPlus, @Sportsnet, @TVASports). pic.twitter.com/shHs2eXqgR
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) February 18, 2025
A sold-out Bell Centre crowd of 21,105 watched as the Americans came out victorious 3-1. The US got goals from Jake Guentzel (2) and Dylan Larkin while Canada’s only strike came from Connor McDavid.
The game also occurred at a time of high political turmoil as newly-elected US president Donald Trump has threatened tariffs and expressed his desire to turn Canada into the country’s 51st state, inspiring strong nationalism on both sides.
Since puck drop on Saturday, players and coaches who participated have romanticized the game.
“That was one of the best experiences of my life,” US forward Dylan Larkin said per NHL.com. “Just an unbelievable hockey game.”
Team Canada head coach Jon Cooper added, “Nothing’s done more for hockey in a decade than what this tournament’s done.”
Team USA and Team Canada will meet again in the 4 Nations Face-Off final on Thursday night at 8 pm.
