The NHL has launched the NHL Watch Comms App, a groundbreaking Apple Watch application developed by Presidio, to provide real-time game updates to referees and linesmen during the 2025 Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series.
Marking a first for outdoor NHL games, officials will receive haptic notifications on their wrists for game clock countdowns, penalty timings, and player infractions — eliminating the need to rely on distant arena scoreboards. With outdoor venues posing greater challenges for timekeeping than traditional indoor arenas, the app aims to streamline officiating and improve game management.
The NHL Watch Comms App boasts over 90% adoption across the League, underscoring its significance in modernizing game operations. The app’s development involved a partnership between the NHL, Apple, and Presidio, leveraging Apple Watch’s advanced capabilities.
Looking ahead, the league is exploring expanded features, including direct communication between on-ice officials, arena-based staff, and the NHL’s Toronto operations center. Future updates may even enable communication between officials and coaches, offering a new layer of strategic decision-making.
This collaboration builds on the NHL and Apple’s long-standing partnership, which began in 2017 with the use of Mac and iPad devices for in-game video analysis.
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