NHL Targets Texas for 33rd Franchise, Aiming for 2029-30 Debut

Deputy commissioner Bill Daly announced that the National Hockey League (NHL) intends to award its 33rd franchise to Texas, with the prospective club slated to begin play in the 2029-30 season. The league plans to make a formal announcement on the location—either Houston or Austin—by the end of the current calendar year, pending approval from the NHL Board of Governors and the completion of arena plans.

NHL Notebook: NHL expects to expand to Houston or Austin Texas by 2029-2030

The NHL has expanded twice in the past decade, adding the Vegas Golden Knights in 2017-18 and the Seattle Kraken in 2021-22, bringing the total to 32 teams. Texas already hosts the Dallas Stars, who relocated from Minnesota in 1993. Houston is the fourth-largest U.S. city, while Austin is the most populous city without a major-league franchise. Both markets have been under consideration for a second Texas NHL team.

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• Expansion fee: $2 billion, pledged by Dan Friedkin’s Pursuit Sports.

Where else could NHL be headed after expanding to Texas?

• Potential market size: Houston ? 2.4 million; Austin ? 1.0 million (2024 Census).

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• League composition: Adding a 33rd team would make the NHL the largest of the “big-four” North American sports leagues.

NHL Notebook: NHL expects to expand to Houston or Austin Texas by 2029-2030

• 2026: Ongoing discussions with Friedkin’s group; NHL expects an update in the next few weeks.

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• September 2026: Meeting between the league and the ownership group to assess progress.

NHL executive says a Texas expansion team could be approved and announced by year’s end

• End of 2026: Anticipated public announcement of the Texas franchise’s city.

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• 2029-30 season: Projected start of play for the new team.

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• Bill Daly said the league is “moving forward in Texas” and expects to present a proposal to the Board of Governors later this year. He noted the group will reconvene in September to determine any additional assistance required.

NHL executive says a Texas expansion team could be approved and announced by year’s end

• Daly confirmed Friedkin’s group has agreed to the $2 billion fee, contingent on arena construction and board approval.

NHL could see expansion team awarded to Houston or Austin before the end of the year

• He added the NHL is in “ongoing discussions” with interested parties in Phoenix and Atlanta, though those talks are less advanced.

NHL executive says a Texas expansion team could be approved and announced by year’s end

• Addressing concerns about talent dilution, Daly indicated the argument is not currently persuasive.

NHL expansion is now confirmed by Bill Daly and he opens up about a new Canadian team

The addition of a Texas franchise would be the NHL’s first expansion since 2021 and extend the league’s footprint in a major U.S. market. The $2 billion fee and arena development could generate significant revenue and create a regional rivalry with the Dallas Stars. The league would also become the only major North American league with more than 32 teams, a factor that could affect future media contracts and sponsorship deals.

Where else could NHL be headed after expanding to Texas?

• The NHL Board of Governors must approve the franchise and arena plans before an official announcement can be made by year-end.

Where else could NHL be headed after expanding to Texas?

• If approved, the league aims to finalize definitive agreements as early as December, with the transaction expected to close in early 2029.

Report: Deputy commissioner Bill Daly says 33rd team could join NHL by 2029-30

• Parallel negotiations for a 34th team in Phoenix or Atlanta will continue, though no timeline has been set for those markets.

NHL Notebook: NHL expects to expand to Houston or Austin Texas by 2029-2030

Securing a suitable arena in either Houston or Austin and obtaining the Board’s final endorsement are the remaining hurdles before the 2029-30 season could see the NHL’s first Texas-based team take the ice.

Daly: NHL expansion to Houston, Austin could come by 2029-30