NHL Expansion Plans: Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles Set for 2026

An Unforgettable NHL Adventure: Salt Lake City to Southern california

Embark on an 11-day journey through three major cities, catching five thrilling NHL games along the way.

Imagine trading your winter jacket for a spring breeze while watching live ice hockey. This dream becomes a reality with our exclusive NHL adventure kicking off in Salt lake City.

We’ll begin with a day to explore the unique landscape of Utah before heading to the arena for a matchup featuring the Utah Mammoth. This early immersion into the hockey scene sets the stage for an exciting trip.

The adventure then heats up as we head to the desert oasis of Las Vegas. Staying right on the iconic Strip, we’ll experience the thrill of two Vegas Golden Knights home games.

Between trying your luck at the roulette wheel, you can cheer on the Knights as they face off against the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Nashville Predators. This is the epitome of a weekend getaway.

our journey continues to California, where the Los Angeles metropolitan area awaits. We’ve secured tickets for home games featuring both the Anaheim Ducks and the LA Kings.

Witnessing both teams battle it out against the New York Rangers offers a fantastic possibility to experience the diverse hockey culture of southern California. This leg of the trip maximizes your game-day experiences.

This meticulously planned itinerary ensures you catch five NHL games while enjoying a full day of exploration in each of the three vibrant cities. Accommodation is conveniently located in city centers or prime areas, ensuring easy access to attractions.

We understand that arena seating can impact the viewing experience. Rest assured, we’ve selected prime seats to ensure you don’t miss any of the action from the best vantage points.

As with all our curated travel packages, every detail is handled for you.Your tickets, transfers to hotels, and stadium transportation are all included.

Before you depart, you’ll receive our comprehensive “All-Knowing Document.” This guide is packed with essential information tailored to your trip, ensuring a seamless and enjoyable experience from start to finish.

We pride ourselves on being your dedicated contact throughout this adventure. From initial planning to post-trip reflections, we’re here to make this NHL journey unforgettable.

Get ready for an incredible tour filled with thrilling hockey, exciting city explorations, and memories to last a lifetime. Join us for this unparalleled NHL experience!

Thinking of joining this epic NHL journey? Share your thoughts in the comments below or let us know which game you’re most excited about!

How might the addition of teams in Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles impact the competitive balance within the NHL?

The 2026 NHL Expansion: A Deep Dive

The National Hockey League is poised for significant growth with a planned expansion bringing teams to Salt Lake City, a second team for Las Vegas, and a third for the Los Angeles metropolitan area. This ambitious move, slated for the 2026-2027 season, represents a strategic effort to tap into burgeoning hockey markets and further solidify the NHL’s position in the North American sports landscape. This expansion builds on the success of previous expansions, demonstrating the league’s ability to identify and cultivate passionate fan bases.

Salt Lake City: A New Hockey Hotspot

Salt Lake City, utah, has emerged as a prime candidate for an NHL franchise. The city’s commitment to securing a team is substantial, driven by:

Smith Entertainment Group: Ownership of the Utah Jazz (NBA) has spearheaded the effort to bring an NHL team to Salt Lake City, demonstrating financial stability and a proven track record in professional sports management.

Delta Center Renovations: Significant upgrades to the Delta Center,currently home to the Jazz,are underway to transform it into an NHL-ready arena. Thes renovations will ensure the facility meets the stringent requirements for hosting professional hockey.

Growing Hockey Interest: Utah has seen a surge in youth hockey participation, indicating a growing base of potential fans. The 2002 Winter Olympics, held in Salt Lake City, also left a lasting legacy of winter sports enthusiasm.

Market Potential: A relatively untapped market with a growing population and a strong corporate base,Salt Lake City offers significant revenue opportunities for the NHL.

Las Vegas Aces Again: A Second NHL Team

Las Vegas has proven to be a remarkably triumphant NHL market since the Vegas Golden Knights joined the league in 2017-2018. Their immediate success, including a Stanley Cup victory in 2023, has validated the league’s decision to enter the market.The addition of a second team is fueled by:

Proven Market Viability: The Golden Knights consistently rank high in attendance and merchandise sales, demonstrating strong fan support.

T-Mobile Arena Capacity: The existing T-Mobile Arena has proven capable of handling the demand for NHL games.

Expansion Fees: The substantial expansion fee paid by the new Las Vegas franchise will be a significant revenue boost for the league.

Increased Sponsorship Opportunities: A second team in las vegas will double the opportunities for corporate sponsorships and advertising revenue.

Los Angeles: Expanding the Southern California Presence

The addition of a third NHL team in the Los Angeles area aims to capitalize on the region’s large population and diverse sports market. this expansion is strategically positioned to:

Intuit Dome (Inglewood): The new Intuit Dome,slated to open in 2024,will serve as the home arena for the new Los Angeles franchise. This state-of-the-art facility will provide a premium game-day experience.

Untapped Fan Base: Despite the presence of the Los Angeles Kings and Anaheim Ducks, a significant portion of the Southern California market remains untapped.

Demographic Diversity: The Los Angeles area boasts a diverse population, offering the NHL the chance to broaden its fan base.

Corporate Partnerships: The region’s robust economy and concentration of major corporations provide ample opportunities for lucrative sponsorship deals.

Expansion Drafts and Player Acquisition

Each expansion team will participate in an expansion draft, allowing them to select players from existing NHL franchises. This process is designed to ensure a competitive balance while providing the new teams with a foundation of talent.

Expansion Draft Rules: the rules governing the expansion draft typically involve teams protecting a certain number of players and making others available for selection.

Free Agency: Following the expansion draft, the new teams will have the opportunity to sign free agents, further bolstering their rosters.

Trade Opportunities: Trades with existing NHL teams will also play a crucial role in the player acquisition process.

Financial Implications of NHL Expansion

The NHL expansion is a financially lucrative endeavor for the league and its existing franchises.

Expansion Fees: Each expansion team pays a substantial expansion fee, which is distributed among the existing owners. the Las Vegas expansion fee was $600 million, and subsequent fees are expected to be even higher.

Increased Revenue: The addition of new teams generates increased revenue from ticket sales,merchandise,sponsorships,and media rights.

League Valuation: Expansion typically leads to an increase in the overall valuation of the NHL.

Impact on existing Franchises

While expansion generally benefits the league as a whole, it can also have implications for existing franchises.

Dilution of Talent: The expansion draft can potentially weaken the rosters of existing teams, especially those with a large number of valuable players.

Increased Competition: The addition of new teams increases the competition for playoff spots and revenue.

* Geographic Rivalries: New geographic rivalries can emerge, adding excitement and intrigue to the NHL schedule.

2024-2025 NHL Schedule Considerations

While the 2024-