STOCKHOLM -- As the NHL continues its final preparations to bring teams to the Southern Hemisphere for the first time in September, it is already considering other unique international cities that could host preseason games in future seasons, NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly said.
The Los Angeles Kings and Arizona Coyotes will go to Melbourne, Australia for preseason games in the 2023 NHL Global Series -- Melbourne on Sept. 23 and 24. They will play at Rod Laver Arena, home of the Australian Open tennis tournament.
"I'm not going to throw any country names out there but there are other places that we've yet to bring teams or our game which we think present unique opportunities, and we're exploring it," Daly said. "Like any business decision we make, as a League you look to be creative and you look to change it up a bit."
The NHL has played regular-season games in Sweden (Stockholm, Gothenburg), Czech Republic (Prague), Finland (Helsinki, Tampere), Germany (Berlin) and England (London) since 2007.
The Minnesota Wild, Toronto Maple Leafs, Ottawa Senators and Detroit Red Wings each will play two games at Avicii Arena in Stockholm in the 2023 Global Series -- Sweden from Nov. 16-19.
It will be the first time the NHL has brought four teams overseas for regular-season games.
"There was a point in time when all the games we played overseas were exhibition games, preseason games," Daly said. "We've evolved that model as we've grown and our popularity has grown and I think that will continue to be the case. Over time, you will see us staging regular-season games in other European markets. I think we have to be nimble, we have to adjust strategies to demand and continue to grow the property."
Daly said the NHL already has experienced a strong reaction from fans in Australia and they expect two sellouts at Rod Laver Arena.
"With any decision we make to bring teams or games, you're trying to build fandom and you're trying to build and grow a business," Daly said. "We think Australia presents an opportunity to do that. The Australians have been hot on our trail for probably 10-15 years now trying to get us to bring games over there. It's a significant decision because it's a long way and it's expensive, and where do you fit it into the overall schedule. Those are all challenges we worked through and got past in order to schedule these games."
He said the goal is for Australia to prove itself as a market where the NHL can return.
"We would hope that if we're successful in growing a fanbase in Australia and a business base in Australia that we'll make it a regular part of our rotation," Daly said. "I know it doesn't mean every year, but at least a regular participant for games in Australia. It was very intentional to start with two preseason games in Australia and not bring two teams over to play regular-season games. You give the market a little test drive. You see what the level of interest is or what level of interest you can build, and you go from there."
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