It is universally understood that the best hockey in the world can be found in the NHL. That is not to say that there are not very good players in Europe, and even in the minor leagues of North America, but it is the NHL where every professional dreams of competing. The games have the highest TV ratings, and the Stanley Cup Finals are always a huge draw.
But there are other competitions that attract a similar level of attention and fandom. The current era of hockey is a perfect example, with international games and tournaments proving to be incredibly popular. Sportsbooks like the Bodog sports betting site will cover these global matchups in the same way as they would regular NHL games.
But why is international hockey so popular? Other traditional major league sports don’t get the same kind of attention for international tournaments. What is it about international hockey that gets fans so excited?
Four Nations and Olympics
There have always been international hockey games and tournaments. Hockey has featured at every single Winter Olympics since the first one in 1924. In fact, it even made an appearance at the 1920 Summer Olympics, before the winter version began. It has been a highlight of the event even when stars from the NHL have not been in attendance, as they were this year.
The 2025 Four Nations Face-Off really proved that fans can’t get enough of international hockey. Designed as a one-off to get the players in tune for international competition, and scheduled in place of an All-Star game, the event was a huge success as team rivals got the opportunity to play together for national pride.
Best-on-Best
The idea of the best playing the best is an obvious reason why international hockey is so popular. Although the best players are routinely going up against each other in the NHL every week, that has not been the case when it comes to international tournaments. Before this year, NHL players had not been present at the Olympics since 2014.
The Four Nations Face-Off, in particular, showed that there is a huge market for international hockey that pits the best players in the world against each other. International hockey offers a different dynamic for the most skillful players in the world to perform in a different way than how they do with their NHL teams.
Global Rivalries
One of the reasons why the NHL is so successful is that it fosters rivalries between its teams. As well as the battles between the Original Six teams that have now been played since the 1920s, there are modern geographical rivalries formed from repeated meetings and playoff history.
But the NHL is still a franchise league. Although some teams will never relocate, there have been very famous examples of cities losing their team – and that has to have an effect on long-term rivalries. International hockey, on the other hand, never changes, with fans able to cheer on their country and take pride in their identity – and that increases the emotional ties fans have with the teams.
Different Flow
Even the kind of hockey that is played between international teams is different to that found in the NHL. In fact, many international tournaments have markedly different rules, meaning that the flow of the games can change. For example, fighting results in instant ejection at the Olympics, and that makes for a completely different game.
The NHL is regarded as a high-contact league when it comes to the type of hockey played, and a change from that can be welcome. As well as some very distinctive national style of hockey that gets showcased at international tournaments, the ice sheets used can produce faster-paced games and hockey with more technical skill.
Tournament Atmosphere
As much as NHL games at any time of the year can produce an electrifying atmosphere, there is nothing like the Stanley Cup finals to raise the roof in most arenas. That is to say, there nothing like that in the NHL. If you are looking for a contrast to the season fatigue of some NHL games, international hockey is the place to be.
As all international hockey is played in a tournament setting, the must-win attitude that comes with that provides a cracking atmosphere. Even in the group stages of some competitions, there is still a need to win a game, rather than rely on climbing out of a slump later in the season. The drama that tournament hockey provides is a huge draw.
Stars of Tomorrow
The biggest international hockey tournaments obviously showcase the best players in the world. But there are some very good teams that have to rely on younger talent, as the numbers of elite skaters are not there in the numbers as with the Canadian and US teams. That means that the fans get to see the potential NHL stars of tomorrow.
There are, of course, many other international tournaments to enjoy than just the Olympics and the Four Nations Face-Off. When you start to include the various junior championships, there are multiple opportunities to watch players who are developing and will become big names in the NHL in the years to come.
The Future of the Sport?
There is no doubt that international hockey is incredibly popular. The tournaments of the last few years have proven that, and the announcement that the World Cup of Hockey will be returning in 2028, hosted by Canada and Czechia, was met with great excitement.
The NHL will never lose its position at the pinnacle of the sport, so it is not entirely true that international hockey is the future. But there is definitely room for both, and international hockey will continue to find a very special place in the hearts of all fans.
