Toronto Maple Leafs fans upset over new Sportsnet+ paywall

A number of Toronto Maple Leafs fans weren't happy campers on Monday night, despite the team's 3-1 comeback win over the San Jose Sharks. 

That's because the game wasn't aired on traditional cable TV; for the first time, fans had to pay extra to use the Sportsnet+ app to tune in.

Although Sportsnet gave Leafs fans about a month's notice that this new paywall was coming, it still caught many viewers by surprise — and fans expecting to catch the game on Sportsnet weren't happy about the change.

The volume of fan complaints made Sportsnet+ a trending topic on X during the game.

"Not paying another cent. The nickel and diming is incredible," said one fan on social media. 

"I already pay my TV provider, for every Sportsnet channel, yet you expect another $12.99/month for Sportsnet+ to watch the Leafs? Enough double-dipping. I'm cancelling Sportsnet through my provider and encouraging others to do the same. You've lost a loyal customer," said another.

Leafs not on TV tonight because Sportsnet paywalled their Monday slate of games behind an app that barely works to show baseball on 5 channels and replays on another. Embarrassing company. @CRTCeng @Sportsnet @NHLPR @MapleLeafs https://t.co/NOPpRioNwy

— Hockey fan (@LeafsfanEst1991) October 19, 2026

"I pay for Sportsnet, live in the Leafs region, and I still can't watch the Leafs game," another fan said.

The Leafs-Sharks game was the first of 13 Monday Night Hockey matchups featuring Toronto that will be behind a paywall this season.

Sportsnet+ is included at no extra cost for Rogers Xfinity TV customers with a Sportsnet package. However, fans with other TV providers who already subscribe to Sportsnet are required to pay an additional $12.99 per month to add the Monday games on Sportsnet+.

For fans who rely entirely on streaming, a Sportsnet+ subscription costs $34.99 per month or $269.99 per year.

Leafs fans won't have to wait long for the next streaming-only game. Toronto's next Monday Night Hockey appearance is next Monday (Oct. 26), when the team heads west to take on the Calgary Flames.