We may earn affiliate commissions for the recommended products. Learn more.

How to watch Germany vs Switzerland at the IIHF World Championship 2026


Germany and Switzerland meet in a key IIHF World Championship 2026 matchup on Monday, May 18th. For fans looking for the easiest way to watch the game live, the main options are national broadcasters, streaming platforms in major hockey markets, and selected free official streams in countries such as Switzerland and Germany, using the same coverage pattern as in earlier tournament matches.

If you are traveling, geo-restrictions can get in the way even when you already pay for a home subscription. In that case, a VPN is the most practical way to access your usual service from abroad or unlock an official free stream where available.

Germany vs Switzerland start time and match details

Germany vs Switzerland at the 2026 IIHF World Championship is scheduled for May 18th, 2026, at 8:20 pm local time at the Swiss Life Arena in Zurich. It’s a Group A game in the group stage of the tournament, which is being hosted in Switzerland from May 15th to 31st.

Match details:

  • Stage: Group stage, Group A
  • Venue: Swiss Life Arena, Zurich
  • Start time: 20:20 local time in Zurich, which is 2:20 pm ET

Where to watch Germany vs Switzerland

Below is a practical viewing guide to available broadcasts of IIHF 2026 coverage by country.

CountryStreaming servicePrice
SwitzerlandSRFFree
GermanyProSieben MAXX / Sporteurope.TVFree / €15.00 pass
CanadaTSN+ / RDSFrom CA$29.99/month
United StatesNHL Network / ESPN+From $12.99/month
United KingdomPremier SportsFrom £12.99/month
CzechiaCT SportFree
Global (rest of world)IIHF.tv€30.00 tournament pass / €7.00 per game

How to watch Germany vs Switzerland at the IIHF World Championship 2026 for free

Catch the Canada vs Switzerland game live and free through the IIHF’s official streaming options where available, or by using a free-trial sports streaming service if your region doesn’t offer direct access. For viewers outside their usual country, a VPN can help unlock the same stream at home. Here's how to do it:

  1. Download and install a reliable VPN. I recommend NordVPN, now 75% OFF, as it is the strongest all-around option for sports streaming.
  2. Connect to a server in Switzerland, Germany, or Czechia
  3. Open a website with free IIHF World Championship coverage, such as SRF, ProSieben MAXX, or CT Sport
  4. Find the live stream for Germany vs Switzerland
  5. Start watching once the live coverage begins

How to watch Germany vs Switzerland in the US, UK, Canada, and Australia

In the United States, Germany vs Switzerland is available on NHL Network and ESPN+. NHL Network is the main TV option, while ESPN+ offers a streaming option for watching the game live. In the United Kingdom, the match is available on Premier Sports. It’s the main broadcaster for viewers who want to follow the game live in the UK.

In Canada, the game is available on TSN+ and RDS. Those are the primary options for English- and French-language coverage of the matchup. In Australia, the match is best accessed through IIHF.tv. That’s the straightforward streaming option for fans who want to watch the game from abroad.

If you're traveling but want to keep access to your usual home-country streams, you can also use a reliable VPN like NordVPN to connect from abroad.

How to watch Germany vs Switzerland from abroad

If you already subscribe to a service like TSN+, Premier Sports, NHL Network, or another domestic broadcaster, the biggest problem while traveling is geo-blocking. These services often restrict access outside the country where the subscription was purchased, even when your account is active.

A VPN solves that by routing your connection through your home country. For example, if you normally watch through TSN+, connect to a Canadian server before logging in. If you want to use an official free stream such as SRF or ProSieben MAXX, connect to a Swiss or German server first, then open the broadcaster's website or app.

Best VPNs to watch Germany vs Switzerland

If you’re abroad or facing geo‑blocks, a good VPN can unlock your usual home streams for Germany vs Switzerland. Here are the best VPNs for watching the game safely and reliably while traveling:

FAQ