Finding out what channel is stars game on used to be simple. You’d flip to Bally Sports, complain about the pre-game show for five minutes, and settle in. But it’s 2026, and the "old way" is basically dead. If you’re staring at your TV guide tonight wondering why the Stars aren't where they used to be, you’re not alone. The team completely overhauled their broadcast model, and honestly, it’s a bit of a maze if you don't have the map.
The Short Answer for Right Now
If you are looking for the game today, Saturday, January 17, 2026, here is the deal: the Stars actually don't play today. They just finished a grueling six-game road trip through California and Utah that wrapped up on Thursday against the Mammoth.
The next time you’ll need to know what channel is stars game on is tomorrow, Sunday, January 18, when they face the Tampa Bay Lightning at the American Airlines Center. That puck drops at 1:00 PM CT.
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For that specific game against Tampa, you're looking for Victory+.
What the Heck is Victory+?
Basically, the Dallas Stars did something pretty bold. They ditched the traditional Regional Sports Network (RSN) model. No more blackouts for local fans who don't have a $100 cable package.
Victory+ is a free, ad-supported streaming service. If you live in the "home territory"—which covers Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Arkansas—this is your primary home for Stars hockey. You don't pay a dime. You just download the app on your smart TV, phone, or tablet.
Expert Tip: Don't wait until 12:59 PM tomorrow to download the app. The sign-up process is quick, but you don't want to be troubleshooting your Wi-Fi while Jason Robertson is already skating into the zone.
When the Channel Changes: National Broadcasts
Even though Victory+ handles about 66 games this season, they don't own the whole pie. The NHL has big-money deals with national networks. When one of these guys picks up a game, it gets pulled off the local stream.
This is usually where the "what channel is stars game on" frustration peaks. Here is how the national rotation looks for the 2025-2026 season:
- TNT and Max: These games are usually on Tuesday or Wednesday nights. If the game is on TNT, you can also stream it on the Max app (formerly HBO Max).
- ESPN and ABC: These are the big "Game of the Week" slots. Note that if it’s on ABC, you can usually catch it with a simple digital antenna for free.
- ESPN+ and Hulu Exclusives: These are the "digital-only" games. Even if you have the fanciest cable package in Dallas, you won't find these on a traditional channel. You must have an ESPN+ or Hulu subscription to watch.
Upcoming National Windows
To save you some Googling, keep an eye on these dates:
- Tuesday, January 20 vs. Boston: This one is a national TNT game.
- Tuesday, January 27 at St. Louis: This is an ESPN+/Hulu exclusive.
- Thursday, January 29 at Vegas: Another ESPN+/Hulu exclusive.
Out-of-Market Fans: The "Blackout" Struggle
If you're a Stars fan living in, say, Seattle or New York, the rules change. You can’t use Victory+ for live games because of geographic licensing. Your best friend is NHL Power Play on ESPN+.
This service carries almost every out-of-market game. However, if the Stars are playing a team in your local area (like if they play the Kraken and you live in Seattle), the game will be blacked out on ESPN+ and you'll have to watch on the Kraken's local channel.
It's a bit of a headache, I know. Regional sports rights are still stuck in the 90s in some ways, even if the Stars are trying to pull us into the future.
Radio: The Old Reliable
If you’re stuck in traffic on I-35 or just prefer the legendary calls of Josh Bogorad and Daryl "Razor" Reaugh, the radio hasn't changed.
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- 96.7 FM / 1310 AM The Ticket: The flagship home for Stars hockey.
- The SportsDay App: Great for streaming the audio if you’re out of range of the physical towers.
Why Does the Schedule Keep Shifting?
You might notice that puck drop times are all over the place this month. That’s because January 2026 is a massive travel month for the team. 11 road games.
Also, keep in mind that the NHL is taking a break from February 6th to the 24th for the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milan. There won't be any Stars games on any channel during that window, so don't go calling your cable provider thinking your service is out.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
To make sure you never miss a puck drop again, do these three things right now:
- Download the Victory+ App: It’s available on Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, and most mobile stores. Set up your free account today so you're ready for the Tampa game on Sunday.
- Sync the Schedule: Go to the official Dallas Stars website and use the "Sync to Calendar" feature. It automatically updates game times and—most importantly—lists the specific broadcast partner for each night.
- Check Your Subscription: If you aren't a cable subscriber, make sure your ESPN+ or Max subscription is active before the January 20th and 27th national windows hit.
Stop guessing which button to press on the remote. Between Victory+ for local free streaming and the occasional jump to TNT or ESPN, watching the Stars has actually become cheaper for most fans in Texas—it just requires a little more app-switching than it used to.