NHL expansion team to be announced by year-end, could begin play in 2029-30

The NHL is closing in on adding its 33rd franchise, with an announcement likely by the end of this calendar year, Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly said recently.

Texas billionaire Dan Friedkin has reportedly already agreed to pay the $2 billion expansion fee, and both Houston and Austin are in the running to land the team. Daly told The Athletic's Chris Johnston that the league will meet with the group again in September to assess progress on key requirements: a plan to build an arena in either market and final approval from the NHL Board of Governors.

"If we finalize that and the board approves it," Daly said, "then end of this calendar year we'll have an announcement that we're expanding to either Houston or Austin."

If everything proceeds smoothly, the new franchise could begin play as soon as the 2029-30 season. The Seattle Kraken officially joined the NHL in 2021 when they started play in the 2021-22 season.

Daly also indicated the league is actively gauging interest from various groups to bring in a 34th team, though that process is not expected to move as quickly. Phoenix, Arizona and Atlanta, Georgia have been named as possible destinations for a second expansion. Canadian hockey fans looking for Quebec City to return to the league will need to wait — Daly previously outlined issues preventing that bid from moving forward.

Adding two more teams would give the NHL the most franchises of the big four North American sports leagues. Right now, the NHL is tied with the NFL at 32 franchises, while the NBA and MLB each have 30 teams.