Betting on USA-Canada Hockey Final “Off the Charts”
DraftKings’ Las Vegas bookmaker Johnny Avello says the 4 Nations Face-Off final was the biggest hockey handle they’ve ever had. The USA-Canada showdown drew 9.3 million viewers in the U.S. on ESPN, making it the most-watched NHL-sanctioned game in decades. In Canada, 10.7 million people tuned in, accounting for a quarter of the country’s population.
Record-Breaking Viewership for Hockey
Sportsnet reported that 10.7 million people across Canada watched the final, while ESPN saw 9.3 million viewers, peaking at 10.4 million. This made it the largest audience for a non-NFL event on ESPN+. The tournament’s success even caught the attention of commentators who rarely discuss hockey, sparking conversations about how the NHL can build on the momentum generated by the event.
The Role of Rivalry and Politics
ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith highlighted the “healthy hostility” between teams as a key factor in the game’s success. This intense rivalry carried over to the betting front as well.
“It was the biggest hockey handle we’ve ever had on any single game … it surpassed game seven last year in the NHL playoffs,” said Johnny Avello, DraftKings’ Director of Race & Sportsbook Operations. He noted that the mix of intense competition, national pride, and political undercurrents added fuel to the excitement, making fans even more eager to place bets.
Big Viewership Drives Massive Betting Action
Avello shared that hockey has been performing well for sportsbooks, and the USA-Canada final broke all records. At BetMGM, it was the most bet-on hockey event in their history, with 2.5 times more bets than any other hockey event that season. Five of the top seven most-bet hockey events of the year were 4 Nations games.
Proline, Ontario’s sports betting platform, also saw unprecedented action. A trader mentioned that the 4 Nations Face-Off generated over ten times the bets compared to the NBA All-Star Weekend. Most bettors backed Canada to win, and many correctly predicted the game would go into overtime.
The Future of International Hockey
With the tournament wrapped up, fans will have to wait until the Milan Winter Olympics for the next chapter in the USA-Canada hockey rivalry. But if the 4 Nations Face-Off proved anything, it’s that international hockey has the power to captivate millions — and drive sports betting to new heights.
“Hey, we can deal with that,” Avello said. “That might even turn out to be the best of all time.”