• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, July 9, 2025

Bettman Says NHL On Pace To Set Attendance Records

  • Last season, the NHL set an attendance record of 22.4 million.
  • The league believes this year will be even bigger as more games are played in stadiums.
John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

The NHL is less than a month into its 2023-24 season, but the league is expecting this to be a monumental year.

After setting a new regular-season attendance record of 22.4 million last season, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman says the league is “tracking for a record year of attendance” yet again. Through October, season-wide attendance was 1.86 million.

That’s buoyed in part by the evolution of the NHL Stadium Series, which takes professional hockey outdoors to fans at major football and baseball venues across North America. “We’re coming together in numbers you’re not quite used to,” Bettman said on the “Pat McAfee Show.” 

In February, back-to-back games at MetLife Stadium will represent the 40th and 41st outdoor NHL games. 

Meanwhile, Bettman said that the NHL continues to receive interest about potential expansion teams in Atlanta, Houston, Salt Lake City, and Quebec City, but adding a 33rd team isn’t at the forefront of his thinking just yet. “I’m not ruling it out, but it’s not something we’re focused on or we’re pushing to do right now,” he said.

Olympic Ambitions

Bettman hopes that the 2026 Milano-Cortina Olympics will be the first Winter Games to feature NHL players since 2014. 

Despite the Olympics not being a moneymaker for the NHL, Bettman knows it’s important to the league’s players to be able to represent their countries. “It’s a logistical nightmare,” he said. “It takes place in the middle of our season. It’s very expensive, but it’s something that we’re working on.”

He did not give a timetable for confirming whether NHL players will be allowed to participate or not.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Jul 1, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes (30) pitches against the St. Louis Cardinals during the third inning at PNC Park.

MLB ASG Missing Many Highly Paid Stars, Clearing Path for Youth

Many of MLB’s top earners are not part of the Midsummer Classic.
TSU Hockey at Bridgestone

Tennessee State’s HBCU Hockey Ambitions Delayed at Least a Year

The school will not launch the first-of-its-kind program as intended.
Jun 27, 2025; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks first overall pick Cooper Flagg speaks to the media during a press conference at the Dallas Mavericks Practice Facility.

Cooper Flagg–Bronny James Summer League Tickets Average $201

The average purchase price on resale platform TickPick is $201.
Louis, Missouri, UNITED STATES; Penn State Nittany Lions forward Nicholas DeGraves (17) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against the Boston University Terriers during the third period of the Frozen Four college ice hockey national semifinals at Enterprise Center

Gavin McKenna’s Penn State Commitment Cements College Hockey Supremacy

Gavin McKenna’s Penn State decision signals hockey’s rising stars now prefer college.

Featured Today

American Celebs Want to Be Sports Owners. Soccer Is Where They Start

As U.S. team prices climb, investors set their sights abroad.
July 5, 2025

Baseball’s Celebrity Row: Behind MLB’s First-Pitch Ritual

Often planned, sometimes spontaneous, the ritual throw is baseball’s celebrity row.
July 4, 2025

3,000 Hot Dogs, $20K in Prizes: Behind the Nathan’s Eating Contest

Nathan’s serves up thousands of hot dogs and $20,000 in prize money.
July 3, 2025

Geoffrey Esper Can’t Catch a Break at Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest

“Hot dogs is not one of my favorite competitions of the year.”

Has the WNBA Outgrown the Matinee Madness of Camp Days?

Caitlin Clark will return from injury in a Wednesday noon game.
Nov 16, 2024; New York, NY, USA; President-elect Donald Trump speaks with Dana White (left) during UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden.
July 7, 2025

UFC Confirms Talks to Bring Fight to White House Grounds

Discussions are underway to bring a UFC event to the White House grounds.
Breanna Stewart
July 8, 2025

WNBA Players Call League Proposal For Fixed Salary Cap Inadequate  

The league’s collective bargaining agreement expires in less than four months.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
Jul 2, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani (17) heads to the dugout prior to the first inning against the Chicago White Sox at Dodger Stadium.
July 4, 2025

MLB Changes Are ‘Showing Great Results’: Former CFO

Big stars playing in major markets “make a real difference.”
Michael Johnson
July 3, 2025

Grand Slam Track Still Owes Athletes $13 Million: Source

The new track league hasn’t paid athletes in full yet.
July 2, 2025

NHL to Rejoin Olympic Ice in Milan—and NBC Set to Cash In

NHL players last competed in the Olympics in 2014.
Sophie Cunningham
July 2, 2025

WNBA Expansion Decisions Show League Prioritizes North, NBA Ties

One player ripped the league for its geographic choices.