NHL Watch Comms App on Apple Watch Enhances On-Ice Officiating

The app is enhancing the officiating experience for the NHL

As the 2025 Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series approaches, the League has introduced the NHL Watch Comms App, developed by Presidio for Apple Watch. The app will provide the league with real-time, in-game situational updates directly on their wrists.

For the first time in an outdoor NHL game, referees and linesmen can use the NHL Watch Comms App to receive notifications, including game clock countdowns, penalty clock updates and information on penalized players. The app is designed to improve game management without glancing at arena scoreboards.

Unlike traditional indoor arenas with large overhead scoreboards, outdoor venues pose additional challenges for officials in tracking games. The NHL Watch Comms App aims to bridge this gap by providing referees with haptic notifications that deliver real-time alerts to manage penalty situations and game timing. The NHL Watch Comms App has over 90% adoption across the League.

The NHL partnered with Apple and Presidio to develop this custom application, ensuring integration with Apple Watch’s capabilities. The league is already exploring further applications for the Watch Comms App, including direct communication between the four on-ice officials, arena-based officials and the League’s Toronto operations center. Future iterations may also include communication between officials and coaches, broadening the scope of in-game technology to enhance strategic decision-making.

The NHL and Apple have previously collaborated on game-enhancing technology. Since 2017, Mac and iPad have helped coaches and players by providing real-time videos for in-game adjustments.