He shoots, he scores!
Two National Hockey League games are set to take place in Melbourne this winter and it’s shaping up to be a big couple of nights on the ice.
Not only will it be the first time the NHL has ventured into Australia, but it’s also the first time the league has ever played outside of the Northern Hemisphere.
The NHL comes to Melbourne
- Melbourne will be the first city in the Southern Hemisphere to host the National Hockey League
- The LA Kings and the Arizona Coyotes will play at Rod Laver Arena on September 23 and 24
- NHL Melbourne tickets will be available on April 18 with a sell-out expected
Keep up with the latest in local news and entertainment here.
The Los Angeles Kings and the Arizona Coyotes will face off at Rod Laver Arena on September 23 and 24 as part of the preseason and the NHL’s 2023 Global Series. The NHL will build a temporary ice rink inside the venue and the teams will practice at the nearby O’Brien Icehouse in the days leading up to the events.
While hosting professional ice hockey down under may seem a little counterintuitive, the government of Victoria hopes this partnership will help promote tourism and solidify Melbourne as a global sports capital.
View this post on Instagram
For the NHL, it’s a chance to help break new ground with their sport, give ex-pats and international hockey fans something to cheer about and hopefully pick up a few new supporters along the way. As it stands, there is a small ice hockey presence in the country – we currently have our own semi-pro league and around 20 indoor rinks.
“The intention would not be to come to Australia, play and never come back,” said David Proper, NHL Senior Executive Vice President of media and international strategy. “The intention is to make this a recurring set of games and help continue to grow hockey in the market.”
NHL Melbourne tickets will be on sale to the public on April 18 at 1pm with a variety of travel and hospitality packages available. High demand is expected for this historic game – we suggest booking quickly so you don’t miss your chance.
To grab NHL Melbourne tickets to see the hockey on September 23 or 24, head here.
