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● TRACKER Updated 3d ago · 23 sources tracked

NHL to Explore Houston, Austin for Potential Expansion Franchise During 2026 Offseason

The NHL intends to award its 33rd franchise to Texas by the end of 2026. Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly expects an update within weeks from a group led by Houston billionaire Dan Friedkin. Friedkin's group has agreed to a $2 billion expansion fee, provided the NHL Board of Governors grants approval and a suitable arena is built in either Houston or Austin. While Houston and Austin are the primary candidates for the 33rd team, the league is also considering Atlanta and Phoenix for a potential 34th franchise.

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What changed

Dan Friedkin's group has agreed to pay a $2 billion expansion fee contingent on arena construction and league approval.

Live updates

  1. NHL Targets Texas Expansion Franchise Approval by Year End

    The NHL intends to award its 33rd franchise to Texas by the end of 2026. Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly expects an update within weeks from a group led by Houston billionaire Dan Friedkin. Friedkin's group has agreed to a $2 billion expansion fee, provided the NHL Board of Governors grants approval and a suitable arena is built in either Houston or Austin. While Houston and Austin are the primary candidates for the 33rd team, the league is also considering Atlanta and Phoenix for a potential 34th franchise.

    Why it matters

    The league is pursuing growth in major television markets to increase value before negotiating new media rights deals. A Texas-based team is projected to begin play in the 2029-30 season.

    What is confirmed

    • Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly expects the NHL to award a 33rd franchise to Texas by the end of 2026.
    • Dan Friedkin's group has agreed to pay a $2 billion expansion fee to bring a team to Houston or Austin.
    • The franchise award depends on the ability to build an arena and final approval from the NHL Board of Governors.

    Still unconfirmed

    • A public-private partnership could bring professional hockey to Houston.

    What to watch next

    • Final approval decision from the NHL Board of Governors regarding the 33rd team.
    Sources used for this update (6)
    1. sports.yahoo.com — NFL Training Camp Injury Report: Tracking the latest news, updates for 2026 fantasy football
    2. sports.yahoo.com — NHL executive says a Texas expansion team could be approved and announced by year’s end
    3. sports.yahoo.com — Houston officials have ear of Houston billionaire as NHL expansion looms
    4. sports.yahoo.com — New Reports Suggest NHL in Advanced Talks to Bring 33rd NHL Franchise to Houston
    5. www.nytimes.com — How potential NHL expansion could impact Canucks’ rebuilding plans
    6. www.forbes.com — NHL Sets Sights On TV Market Expansion Ahead Of New Rights Deal
    confidence 90%

  2. NHL Prioritizes Houston for 33rd Franchise with 2029-30 Target Debut

    Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly indicates the NHL may announce its 33rd franchise by the end of 2026, with Houston serving as the most likely location. The league is targeting the 2029-30 season for the Texas-based team to begin play. While Austin remains a top candidate, league leadership currently views Houston as the priority. This timeline follows a period of evaluation involving the Friedkin family and a focus on media market data to increase overall league value.

    Why it matters

    The NHL is seeking to expand its footprint in the United States by adding a team in a major Texas market. This move follows a six-month evaluation period to determine if Houston or Austin offers the best strategic advantage.

    What is confirmed

    • Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly stated the NHL could announce the expansion team by the end of the calendar year.
    • The league is eyeing the 2029-30 season for the Texas-based team to debut.
    • Houston and Austin are the top two destinations for the 33rd franchise.

    Still unconfirmed

    • Houston is a priority over Austin.

    What to watch next

    • Official announcement of the 33rd franchise location by December 2026
    • Confirmation of the ownership group for the Texas team
    Sources used for this update (5)
    1. www.cbssports.com — Fantasy football rankings 2026: Busts per model that nailed Terry McLaurin's down season
    2. sports.yahoo.com — Texas billionaire makes Austin investment as NHL expansion race heats up
    3. www.yardbarker.com — NHL Eyeing 2029-30 For Texas-Based Expansion Team To Debut
    4. sports.yahoo.com — Houston 'Priority' Over Austin As NHL Eyes 33rd Franchise Commitment By December, What About Canada?
    5. www.nytimes.com — NHL’s Bill Daly says expansion team in Houston or Austin could play by 2029-30
    confidence 90%

  3. NHL Evaluates Houston and Austin for 33rd Franchise

    The NHL is determining whether Houston or Austin will host its 33rd team, with media market data serving as a primary factor in the decision. Commissioner Gary Bettman previously initiated a 6-month evaluation period with the Friedkin family. The league intends to leverage a major market to increase its value, though the specific Texas city remains undecided.

    Why it matters

    The league is seeking to expand its footprint into Texas to tap into high-value markets. This move follows a formal announcement to the Board of Governors regarding the viability of a new franchise.

    What is confirmed

    • The NHL is considering Houston or Austin, Texas, for its 33rd team.
    • Commissioner Gary Bettman announced the expansion process during a meeting with the Board of Governors.
    • The league is in a 6-month evaluation period with the Friedkin family.

    Still unconfirmed

    • The estimated startup cost for the new team is approximately $3.5 billion, covering the expansion fee and arena construction.
    • Media market data will play a key role in the final city selection.

    What to watch next

    • The conclusion of the 6-month evaluation period with the Friedkin family
    • The official announcement of the selected Texas city
    • Release of specific media market data used for the decision
    Sources used for this update (5)
    1. www.texasmonthly.com — Texas Is (Probably) Getting a New NHL Team. But Where?
    2. www.bostonglobe.com — Texas seems the answer when it comes to NHL’s next expansion, but where exactly remains a debate
    3. heavy.com — NHL Expansion Looking to Tap Into Value of Major Market
    4. sports.yahoo.com — How media market data could factor into upcoming NHL expansion decision
    5. www.nytimes.com — The NHL’s future, according to 20,000 fans: Cup picks, expansion and biggest winners
    confidence 90%

  4. NHL Evaluates Houston and Austin for 33rd Franchise

    The NHL is determining whether Houston or Austin will host its 33rd franchise. League officials are utilizing media market data to decide which Texas city is better suited for the team. The estimated startup cost for the new franchise is approximately $3.5 billion, a figure that covers both the expansion fee and the construction of a new arena. The league is currently in a six-month evaluation period with the Friedkin family to assess the viability of the move.

    Why it matters

    Adding a team in Texas allows the NHL to tap into a major market. This expansion follows a formal announcement by Commissioner Gary Bettman during a Board of Governors meeting.

    What is confirmed

    • The NHL is considering Houston and Austin for a 33rd league team.
    • The league is in a 6-month evaluation period with the Friedkin family.

    Still unconfirmed

    • The league hopes to start a new expansion team in Texas.

    What to watch next

    • Completion of the 6-month evaluation period with the Friedkin family
    • Official announcement of the selected Texas city
    • Finalization of the expansion fee and arena funding
    Sources used for this update (5)
    1. www.texasmonthly.com — Texas Is (Probably) Getting a New NHL Team. But Where?
    2. www.bostonglobe.com — Texas seems the answer when it comes to NHL’s next expansion, but where exactly remains a debate
    3. heavy.com — NHL Expansion Looking to Tap Into Value of Major Market
    4. sports.yahoo.com — How media market data could factor into upcoming NHL expansion decision
    5. www.nytimes.com — The NHL’s future, according to 20,000 fans: Cup picks, expansion and biggest winners
    confidence 80%

  5. NHL Evaluates Houston and Austin for Potential Expansion

    The NHL is assessing the viability of adding a new franchise in either Houston or Austin, Texas. Commissioner Gary Bettman announced the process during a Tuesday meeting with the Board of Governors. The league is currently in a 6-month evaluation period with the Friedkin family.

    What's confirmed:

    • The NHL is investigating Houston and Austin as potential sites for a new franchise.
    • Commissioner Gary Bettman announced the expansion process during a Tuesday meeting with the Board of Governors.
    • The league has started a 6-month evaluation period with the Friedkin family.

    Still unconfirmed:

    • The NHL is exploring an expansion to 34 teams.
    • Houston is more likely than Austin to receive a team due to population and media market advantages.
    Sources used for this update (6)
    1. In Texas, NHL Appears Eager To Continue Southern Expansion Success - Forbes
    2. Why NHL is likely to lean towards Houston over Austin for expansion ...
    3. Sources: NHL looking at Austin, Houston for expansion
    4. World Cup 2026: How Germany made the Round of 32
    5. NHL to Explore Houston, Austin for Potential Expansion Franchise During ...
    6. NHL Expansion Plans: Texas Teams? | Sandman Sports
    confidence 90%

  6. NHL Explores Houston and Austin for Texas Expansion

    The NHL is investigating the viability of a second Texas franchise in either Houston or Austin. Commissioner Gary Bettman announced the process during a Tuesday meeting with the Board of Governors. The league has entered a 6-month evaluation period with the Friedkin family.

    What's confirmed:

    • The NHL is exploring Austin and Houston as potential targets for an expansion team.
    • Commissioner Gary Bettman informed the Board of Governors on Tuesday that a process to investigate a franchise in Houston or Austin will begin.
    • The league has agreed upon a framework and entered a 6-month evaluation process with billionaire Dan Friedkin and his family.
    • A new team in Houston or Austin would be the second NHL franchise in Texas alongside the Dallas Stars.

    Still unconfirmed:

    • Dan Friedkin signed a term sheet for a potential franchise involving an estimated $3.5 billion investment.
    • Arizona is not at the forefront of the league's expansion location explorations.
    Sources used for this update (14)
    1. NHL exploring Austin, Houston for expansion team
    2. NHL to Explore Houston, Austin for Potential Expansion Franchise During 2026 Offseason
    3. National Hockey League seeking expansion in Houston and Austin as potential targets
    4. NHL exploring Texas expansion opportunities in Houston, Austin
    5. NHL exploring expansion locations, Arizona not at forefront
    6. NHL exploring Austin, Houston for expansion team - ESPN
    7. NHL exploring Texas expansion opportunities in Houston, Austin
    8. NHL to Explore Houston, Austin for Potential Expansion Franchise During ...
    9. NHL is exploring Texas expansion opportunities in Houston and Austin ...
    10. NHL, Dan Friedkin exploring expansion to Houston or Austin
    11. NHL opening expansion process, to explore viability of franchise in ...
    12. NHL to Explore Houston, Austin for Potential Expansion Franchise During ...
    confidence 95%