• Loading stock data...
Sunday, August 31, 2025
The biggest names in sports media. All in one room. Get your ticket now!

NHL to Play On Australian Ice for First Time

  • The Arizona Coyotes and Los Angeles Kings will play the first NHL games ever in the Southern Hemisphere.
  • The preseason games will take place at Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena in September.
Los Angeles Kings left wing Kevin Fiala skates with the puck against Arizona Coyotes center Barrett Hayton.
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The NHL is headed Down Under.

Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena will play host to the 2023 NHL Global Series, which will see the Arizona Coyotes and Los Angeles Kings face off in two preseason games on Sept. 23-24. The Australian NHL games will be the first ever played in the Southern Hemisphere.

“Nowhere does major events like Melbourne, and that’s why we are able to attract the biggest sporting spectacles from around the globe,” Victoria minister for tourism, sport and major events Steve Dimopoulos said. “Securing the NHL’s first-ever games in the Southern Hemisphere is not only a win for fans but will deliver big benefits for tourism businesses in our city.”

Rod Laver Arena annually hosts tennis’ Australian Open, and Melbourne Rectangular Stadium will be one of the venues for the FIFA Women’s World Cup this summer.

Artistic rendering of the proposed Tempe Arena development for the Arizona Coyotes.

Phoenix Looks to Block Tempe’s $2.1B Deal With Coyotes

Inter-city conflict revolves around Tempe’s proposed entertainment district.
March 29, 2023

This season, the NHL staged its first Global Series games since before the pandemic, playing a preseason game each in Switzerland and Germany, as well as two regular-season games apiece in Czechia and Finland.

This won’t be the first foray into games outside of North America for these teams.

The Kings have played nine international preseason and regular-season games in their history, most recently with two preseason contests in China in 2017.

The Coyotes have only gone global in 2010, when they played a preseason game in Latvia and two regular-season games in Czechia.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Connor McDavid: ‘All Options on Table’ As Historic Free Agency Looms

The Oilers superstar remains largely mum on his long-term plans.
Aug 27, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani (17) flies out to left field in the eighth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Dodger Stadium.

The Biggest Deferred Sports Contracts in Each Major Sports League

Shohei Ohtani will make $680 million after his contract ends.
Dec 10, 2024; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; A general view of the Delta Center before the game between the Utah Hockey Club and the Minnesota Wild.

Utah’s Sports Boom Expands Into Music, Emulating Atlanta

The Jazz and Mammoth owner strikes a major deal with Live Nation.
Kyle Busch talks with Nexstar Media Group, Wednesday February 14, 2024 during Daytona 500 Media Day at Daytona International Speedway

$6.2B Nexstar-Tegna Deal Could Create Local Sports Juggernaut

CW parent company Nexstar looks to acquire its rival in a major deal.

Featured Today

Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) celebrates with offensive lineman Donovan Jackson (74) after a touchdown catch against Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the first quarter during the College Football Playoff National Championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on January 20, 2025.

The Most Expensive Roster Year in College Football History

The House settlement created revenue-sharing—and a big NIL loophole.
August 26, 2025

‘You’re Going to Get Beat Up’: The Liberty’s All-Male Practice Squad

A select group suits up weekly to take on the defending champs.
August 24, 2025

The Honey Deuce Effect: How Tennis Perfected the Signature Cocktail

Sold every 1.5 seconds, they total more than $12 million in sales.
Dec 21, 2024; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) warms up as the Texas Longhorns prepare to play the Clemson Tigers in the first round of the College Football Playoffs at Darrell K Royal Texas Memorial Stadium.
August 23, 2025

Schools Are Hesitant to Allow PE Into Their Athletic Departments

Regardless of budget, schools don’t believe the risk is worth the reward.
Jun 13, 2018; Moscow, Russia; A general view of a beer stand inside of Luschniki Stadium one day prior to the start of the FIFA World Cup 2018.

Saudi Arabia Says No Alcohol at 2034 World Cup

Saudi Arabia won’t allow alcohol anywhere during the 2034 World Cup.
Paralympics Tiktok
August 25, 2024

The Wildly Successful Paralympics TikTok Account Isn’t What You Think

A cheeky TikTok account is opening the world of Paralympic sports.
January 13, 2025

Gavin Newsom Reveals Status of 2028 Olympics As Los Angeles Wildfires Roar

Gavin Newsom says there’s a “Marshall Plan” to rebuild Los Angeles.
Sponsored

Gareth Bale on MLS vs EPL, Retirement & Buying Cardiff City

Gareth Bale shares his post-soccer business playbook.
August 11, 2024

Passing of the Torch: Los Angeles Set for Olympic Firsts in 2028

The city last hosted the Summer Olympics in 1984.
August 1, 2024

Saudi Arabia Submits Bold World Cup Bid That Includes a Cliffside Arena

The Saudis are proposing a new stadium in a futuristic city called Neom.
John John Florence (USA) surfs in men’s round two competition during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games at Tsurigasaki Surfing Beach.
July 29, 2024

Olympic Surfers Won’t Get Their Full Paris Moment

‘We’re kind of separate off on our own little thing over here.’
Teahupo'o Tahiti Surfing
July 26, 2024

Olympic Surfing Crashes on Tahiti Like a Wave

For Teahupo‘o’s locals, the Olympics are a mixed blessing.