NEW YORK (April 11, 2023) – The National Hockey League (NHL) and National Hockey League Players' Association (NHLPA) today announced the Arizona Coyotes and Los Angeles Kings will face off in the first-ever NHL games in the Southern Hemisphere, as Melbourne, Australia will play host to the 2023 NHL Global Series™ – Melbourne. The preseason games between the Coyotes and Kings will be played on Saturday, Sept. 23 and Sunday, Sept. 24 at Rod Laver Arena. This historic announcement advances the NHL’s commitment to grow the game globally, while furthering the League’s international strategy.
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The NHL Is Going Down Under Next Season
04/11/2023 at 8:12pm EDT
Supported by the Victorian Government through its tourism and major events agency – Visit Victoria – alongside event promoters TEG Sport and Left Field Live, the 2023 NHL Global Series – Melbourne will showcase Melbourne as the premier destination for sport in Australia.
“Nowhere does major events like Melbourne and that’s why we are able to attract the biggest sporting spectacles from around the globe,” 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. These games will also promote Melbourne to millions of potential visitors watching through global broadcasts.”
“We are delighted to bring the excitement and passion of the National Hockey League to the dynamic city of Melbourne and the great sports fans of Australia with the 2023 Global Series games,” NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said. “The Arizona Coyotes and Los Angeles Kings are two of our League’s rising young teams and among our most innovative and adventurous franchises. We look forward to their two games at Rod Laver Arena and know this history-making visit will thrill our many avid fans in Australia and cause so many more throughout the sports-loving nation to be captivated by our great game.”
The matchups in September will be the NHL’s first foray into the Southern Hemisphere, but not the first international trip for either the Kings or Coyotes. The Kings most recently played two preseason games in China in 2017. In addition, Los Angeles has played preseason games in Austria (2007) and Germany (2011), as well as regular-season games in England (2007), Germany (2011), and Sweden (2011). In 2010, Arizona played one preseason game in Latvia and two regular-season games in Czechia. A complete history of NHL preseason games and regular-season games played outside North America can be found by clicking the links below:
* Preseason Games Played Outside North America
* Regular-Season Games Played Outside North America
“Melbourne is recognized worldwide for embracing anything and everything sports, making it the ultimate destination to host NHL players in the upcoming NHL Global Series games,” said Marty Walsh, NHLPA Executive Director. “The players on the Kings and Coyotes look forward to introducing themselves to Australians this September and experiencing the excitement of their renowned sports fandom firsthand.”
“The Arizona Coyotes are honored to represent the National Hockey League at the NHL Global Series in Melbourne,” said Coyotes President & CEO Xavier A. Gutierrez. “This is a tremendous opportunity for the Coyotes and Kings to introduce our great game to the incredibly passionate sports fans of Melbourne. The Coyotes are committed to growing our game and we look forward to interacting with all the tremendous people, partners, and fans-in-waiting in Australia.”
“The Los Angeles Kings are thrilled to be featured in the NHL Global Series in Melbourne,” said Kings President Luc Robitaille. “This historic event with both the Kings and Coyotes will represent the game of hockey at the highest levels, and Melbourne will be a tremendous host. The Kings embrace every opportunity to grow the game and expand our reach and we look forward to working with each of our partners to help make the event a success and to launch our 2023-24 season in grand fashion.”
“After many years of work, TEG Sport, together with our partners Left Field Live, are delighted to be promoting the first ever NHL visit to Australian shores,” said TEG CEO Geoff Jones. “The world-renowned Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne will be transformed into the ultimate NHL destination for this historic preseason series between the Arizona Coyotes and Los Angeles Kings. We encourage fans to get in early with tickets, corporate and travel packages as demand is expected to be high. This event will be an incredible addition to Melbourne’s sensational major sporting events calendar and I thank our key partner Visit Victoria and the great support of the Victorian Government in making this event a reality.”
Today’s announcement was made from Federation Square in Melbourne at a news conference attended by Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos, NHL Senior Executive Vice President of Media & International Strategy David Proper, Kings legend Dustin Brown and Coyotes alumnus Darcy Hordichuk.
Arizona will be designated the home team for the Sept. 23 matchup, and Los Angeles will be designated the home team for the game on Sept. 24. Travel packages will be available to fans of both clubs. Ticketing information for the 2023 NHL Global Series – Melbourne is listed below. Additional details will be announced when available.
*Tickets from $79 for children and $99 for adults
*Hospitality and travel packages via Ticketek on sale now
https://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/show.aspx?sh=NHLGLO23
*Join waitlist now to secure early access to general admission tickets at 1 p.m. on April 17 https://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/show.aspx?sh=NHLWAIT
*Telstra Australia customers pre-sale starts Friday, April 14 at 12 p.m.
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from Nicholas J. Cotsonika of NHL.com,
The NHL feels now is the time to visit Melbourne for several reasons.
Teams of former NHL and American Hockey League players from Canada and the United States have played exhibitions in Australia, including in Melbourne at Rod Laver Arena, and tickets have sold well.
ESPN broadcasts 3-5 NHL games per week on linear and digital platforms in Australia.
Australia accounted for 7.7 million visits to NHL digital platforms in 2022, seventh among countries outside of Canada and the United States. It ranked fourth among countries overseas in visits to the NHL App.
The country has ranked fifth among countries overseas in purchasing NHL gear from Fanatics International since 2015, and Victoria ranks first among Australian states.
The NHL is receiving strong support from Left Field Live and TEG Sports, the event promoters, and Visit Victoria, the state's tourism arm.
"We think that we're poised in Australia to really grow the game and grow the brand, despite the fact that there are very few ice hockey rinks or players in that market, because they over-index in terms of their interest in all of our platforms," White said.
Proper said the NHL believes it will be a transformative experience for people in Melbourne to see the best hockey players in the world live.
"The truth of the matter is, if it weren't so far away, it's a complete layup," Proper said. "Nobody would be questioning why you'd go there. But it's the logistics hurdle that makes everybody question it."
much more
I have been to the Arena and to the Melbourne Cricket Ground to see Aussie Rules Football League (AFL)and it's a nice area and a park is right by it. Stayed at the Pullman hotel (used to be a Hilton) and I think this is during the AFL playoffs. The logistics to ever have an NHL team there would likely be too tough to overcome. I would imagine they would have 10 game homestands and 12 game road trips. But I think the Aussies would take well to it. Melbourne is different from Sydney = which is a larger city....kind of like Chicago to Sydney's NY. I could see AFL fans taking to hockey and in Victoria (the state where Melbourne is) is MUCh bigger into AFL than is New South Wales (from my memory) where Sydney is. I would love to go! Wish I could afford the plane ticket! :)
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