branded nhl game being played

Into the Boards: Breaking Through with NHL Advertising

By Peter Howarth

September 30, 2025

Advertising

1 Comment

Download NHL Calendar

The puck drops on October 8, 2025.

The new NHL calendar 2025 is already loaded with storylines. But the first real faceoff isn’t on the ice; it’s in NHL advertising, where brands are battling to stand out in a crowded sports market.

As the Florida Panthers prepare for their chance at a three-peat, there are certain things we can do to prepare for the NHL season and the revenue boosts it can bring. 

Adcash offers broad, premium sports inventory tailored to audience demand. With it, you can chase your own record-breaking results, just like Alex Ovechkin chasing his 900th goal.

COUNTRIES TO TARGET

We can obviously expect huge traffic from the US and Canada; it’s their backyard after all.

highlighted regions where nhl viewing traffic is high

Foreign markets continue to be on the rise, however. Expect to see growing interest from the UK, Mexico, Sweden, and Finland – don’t sleep on these!

TIPS ON ADVERTISING DURING NHL

There are only 4 days in the whole regular season where there isn’t a game taking place (someone selfish decided to put Christmas in the middle of the schedule). What that means for you, though, is that the answer to “when should I run my campaign?” is “yes”. 

However, if you’re really looking for high-value opportunities with ice hockey advertising, you shouldn’t miss:

  • Opening night triple-header (October 8)
  • The 2 dates where all 32 teams are playing (October 12/October 29)
  • The Winter Classic in Miami (January 3)
  • The rematch of the last 2 Stanley Cup finals (November 23/March 20)
  • Hockey Day in Canada (January 18)

NHL October 2025 Calendar

The following dates are based on Central European Time (CET)

Make sure to add the NHL calendar 2025 to Google Calendar (or iPhone), so you’re always on top of the action. 

Ad Content

With NHL advertising, having a strong hockey theme is the way to go – if the rink is on the brain, everything else is just background noise for the fans. Don’t hold back your creatives either – you’ll want something that stands out when it comes out under the lights. 

Focus on storylines too. If a fan clicks an ad themed around a homecoming, for example, like Marner returning to face the Maple Leafs, then they’ll feel a part of that story too. 

What the Experts are Saying

Here are some things to look for throughout the NHL calendar 2025:

  • As mentioned, the Florida Panthers remain strong and are seeking to win their third consecutive Stanley Cup. 
  • Alex Ovechkin doesn’t stop scoring goals, and you’ll want eyes on the Washington Capitals when he scores his 900th. 
  • We all love an underdog story, and it’s the Utah Mammoth’s turn to play that role. The team is coming together nicely; expect them to reach the playoffs at the very least. 
  • The signs are there for both the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Vegas Golden Knights to win their divisions. Some say Vegas is even coming for the Stanley Cup. 
  • A stacked forward line makes the Dallas Stars favourites to win the Central Division. Expect a deep play-off run. 

Top Tip: Adding the NHL Calendar to your iPhone calendar (or Google) can remind you when the big, must-watch games are coming. 

Score big with NHL-themed landing pages! Captivate the audiences with creative landing pages that match the aura coming from the ice rink.

There are some games that are bigger than the others, so make sure your campaigns have enough daily budget to maximize the profits on high-traffic nights.

Expert tips Marouan

Marouan Bouhachi

Business Development Manager, Adcash

Ad Formats

When it comes to NHL advertising, the formats you choose can make or break a campaign. Pop-Under is the power play to really give a puck about. 

To really level up, pair those with In-Page Push ads. Push is one of the most effective tools for cutting through the noise and reaching fans in real time with targeted offers.

Big games drive big traffic, so lining up your ads to run during and just before matches is a proven way to build views and momentum. Bonus tip: Use the team names from the current match you’re displaying alongside. This will seriously improve the click rate. 

Payment Models

The way you bid should change depending on how you track success. If you’re set up to track conversions, lean on a CPA Target model. Our optimization tech automatically adjusts to hit your conversion goals. Think of it as your McDavid, always finding the right angle to score.

For more intent-driven formats (Banners, Interstitials, and Push), we recommend going with CPC. That way, you’re only paying for the users who show real interest in your creative. Don’t be shy about bidding aggressively: doubling or even tripling the average bid helps you secure the highest-quality traffic. 

MONETIZATION TIPS

Making the NHL profitable is all about being ready. Stay on top of the stories, and use them in your keyword strategy. What are fans going to be searching for? Make sure you show up when they look. 

Once you have traffic, Adcash can give you the edge. We deliver top eCPM per user, plus fast, flexible payments, so your revenue flows as smoothly as the game itself. 

Be sure to use the NHL-specific keywords in your meta descriptions and URLs. 

For more tips feel free to reach out to our team!

Expert tips Marouan

Marouan Bouhachi

Senior Sales Manager, Adcash

FAQ

How many games are in an NHL season?

In the regular NHL calendar, teams play 82 games in total; 41 at home, and 41 away.

How long are NHL games?

An NHL game lasts 60 minutes, divided into 20-minute thirds. Including overtime and intermissions, they can last up to 3 hours. Plenty of time to sneak in some ice hockey-related advertising!

How to add the NHL schedule to Google Calendar?

After clicking on the NHL Calendar 2025, select the team you want to follow, or simply choose to follow all the games. On the next screen, select which calendar you want to sync with (Google, Apple, Outlook, etc.). Sign in to your calendar, and the fixtures should automatically be added.

You can do it!

With these tips, it’s time to helmet up and prep for the season ahead. For more in-depth tips, ice hockey advertising or otherwise, check out how to drive conversions during sports traffic

Don’t forget, Adcash support is a click away, ready to help you with any further questions to help you score big. 

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Peter Howarth

Content Writer, Adcash

Good writing should feel like a conversation, not a lecture. I obsess over word choice so you don’t have to.

1 Comments

Seikh Masum Mustafizur Rahman

| on October 16, 2025 at 2:31 pm

I have ownership of two high traffic websites where a growing number of visitors available. I want to gain as much opportunity as possible from your side. Thanks.

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