ESPN Deportes Will Launch Sixth NHL Broadcast Season
The network will begin its new Spanish-language hockey coverage schedule on September 29, 2026.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Hockey
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ESPN Deportes begins its sixth season of Spanish-language NHL broadcasts on September 29, 2026, featuring a marquee matchup between the Boston Bruins and New York Rangers. The network aims to expand the reach of professional hockey within the Hispanic community through targeted programming.
Why it matters
Broadcasting in Spanish helps the NHL connect with a broader demographic of sports fans by breaking down language barriers. The network makes the game more accessible by translating complex hockey terminology for Spanish-speaking viewers.
This marks the 6th season of Spanish-language NHL broadcasts for the network. The broadcast team features veterans including Carlos Rossell, who brings 25 years of experience to the analyst role.
The players
Kenneth Garay
He is a veteran broadcaster who serves as a primary play-by-play voice for ESPN Deportes.
Carlos Rossell
He is an experienced sports analyst with a 25-year career in media who provides color commentary.
ESPN Deportes
This is a Spanish-language sports network owned by ESPN that provides content to a global Hispanic audience.
Vegas Golden Knights
This professional NHL franchise is based in Las Vegas and has actively pursued outreach to Hispanic fans.
The details
Broadcasters Kenneth Garay and Carlos Rossell will coordinate from separate locations in Bristol, Connecticut, and New York City, using real-time cues to maintain flow. The season schedule includes a series of Tuesday night games leading up to an Edmonton Oilers and New Jersey Devils matchup on November 3.
Timeline
Kenneth Garay began covering hockey in 1996.
The NHL launched a Spanish language website during the 2019-20 season.
The Vegas Golden Knights introduced the LosVGK brand in 2023.
The new broadcast season begins on September 29, 2026.
The Edmonton Oilers at New Jersey Devils game is scheduled for November 3, 2026.
Season Trajectory
This broadcast initiative continues the growth trajectory established by the NHL's Spanish-language website initiative. The effort to reach Spanish-speaking markets follows a pattern set by digital outreach programs and localized brand launches like the Golden Knights' LosVGK campaign.
Viewers can access games featuring marquee teams through November 3, with specific emphasis on Tuesday night scheduling. This broadcast model prioritizes translating specialized hockey terminology to improve the viewing experience for new and existing fans.
The takeaway
Expanding sports coverage into native languages is a key strategy for increasing the league's total viewership. Fans who are looking for more accessible sports content can monitor upcoming broadcast schedules to see if their favorite teams are included in the new Spanish-language rotation.
What happens next
The network will continue its broadcast of Tuesday night marquee matchups through November 3, 2026.
Further reading
For more information on the league's growth efforts, visit the Hockey section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by NHL.
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Should sports leagues prioritize providing Spanish-language broadcasts to reach a wider audience?
