• Loading stock data...
Sunday, June 1, 2025

NHL Is Latest Pro League To Rethink Its All-Star Game

  • League joins NBA, NFL in looking to revamp midseason showcase.
  • Upcoming All-Star Weekend to be expanded with new events.
Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

The NHL is the latest major U.S. sports property to recognize a growing problem with its midseason All-Star Game — and the league is doing something about it.

Closely following the NFL’s move to create the Pro Bowl Games and the NBA’s shift back to a traditional, conference-based All-Star Game, the NHL is scrapping the division-based All-Star format it has used since 2016.

In its place will be a player-led draft system previously used in 2011-12 and 2015. 

Notably, this player-based structure is very similar to what the NBA is now jettisoning. But in each instance, the leagues are looking to find a competitive format for midseason showcases that restores some lost excitement — and boosts broadly declining viewership.

The NHL actually saw a 31% increase in its All-Star Game viewership on ESPN last season, but the game’s average audience of nearly 1.5 million viewers was still down by more than a third compared to 2017. 

The new format for the 2024 NHL All-Star Game in Toronto is also part of a newly enlarged, three-day event weekend, one that will also include a 3-on-3 showcase of players from the newly formed PWHL, which the NHL is supporting

“We had to make it bigger and better,” said NHL chief content officer Steve Mayer to the Canadian Press. “We always had thoughts about doing other events.”

The 2024 NHL All-Star weekend is set for Feb. 1-3.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

WNBA Championship Ring Boom: ‘Way Bigger. Way More Diamonds’

The Liberty’s WNBA championship ring value soared to $60,000.

Panthers-Oilers Rematch Could Be Big in Canada. Will U.S. Ratings Dip?

Likely viewership declines in the U.S. are countered by robust Canadian audiences.

Brett Yormark: Big 12 Puts Private Equity and Naming Rights on Pause

Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark is shifting his conference’s strategy.

Featured Today

PSG and the City of Paris Can Join European Soccer’s Elite

What a maiden Champions League title would mean for the French club.
May 30, 2025

How the Champions League Anthem Took on a Life of Its Own

The composer didn’t know he wrote a timeless hit three decades ago.
May 25, 2025

How Rolex Paved the Way for Luxury’s Love Affair With Tennis

“It’s almost impossible to think about tennis without thinking about Rolex.”
Mar 23, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Alexandra Eala (PHI) reacts after winning a point against Madison Keys (USA)(not pictured) on day six of the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium.
May 24, 2025

Alex Eala Is Defying Her Country’s Odds to Make French Open History

The Philippines native has overcome a unique set of financial odds.

MSG Tickets for Potential Pacers-Knicks Game 7 Start at $1,100

The current get-in price for a potential Game 7 is $1,099.
Sha'Carri Richardson
May 29, 2025

Sha’Carri Richardson Enters Track Start-Up Fray With Alexis Ohanian

Richardson headlines a group of “advisor owners” with equity in the league.
Oct 26, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) injures left shoulder whilte attempt to steal second base in the seventh inning against the New York Yankees during game two of the 2024 MLB World Series at Dodger Stadium.
May 29, 2025

Yankees-Dodgers Clash Draws TV Spotlight, Sky-High Prices

The teams’ lone regular-season series features three nationally aired games.
Sponsored

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

In Episode 7 of Portfolio Players, go inside the boardroom with Avenue Capital CEO and former Milwaukee Bucks co-owner Marc Lasry on Giannis’s future, women’s sports, and upstart leagues like TGL and Unrivaled. 
May 29, 2025

Panthers Clinch Stanley Cup Final Appearance, Stir Up Dynasty Talk

The Panthers clinched a third-straight trip to the Stanley Cup Final.
May 29, 2025

NCAA Exploring March Madness Expansion to 76 Teams in 2026

NCAA president Charlie Baker said March Madness discussions are ongoing.
Softball
May 29, 2025

MLB Makes Eight-Figure Investment in New Softball League 

Athletes Unlimited and Major League Baseball announced the deal Thursday morning.
May 25, 2025; MONACO; McLaren's Lando Norris celebrates with a trophy on the podium after winning the Monaco Grand Prix alongside third placed McLaren's Oscar Piastri and McLaren chief executive Zak Brown at Circuit de Monaco.
May 28, 2025

F1’s Monaco GP Draws Third-Largest U.S. Audience Amid Track Criticisms

F1 will race in Monaco until at least 2031.