If Australia was just a little bit colder, we’d be an absolute force at ice hockey. We’re historically pretty good at field hockey and the rest of the world has got to be pretty bloody thankful they aren’t colliding with us on the ice. That may change. As part of the NHL’s commitment to growing the game globally, the league has announced today that a pair of games will be hosted in Melbourne for the first time.
The “2023 NHL Global Series – Melbourne” – as it’s being called – will mark the first-ever games the league has held in the Southern Hemisphere. Australian fans of the NHL will get to see the Arizona Coyotes and Los Angeles Kings face off against each other at Rod Laver Arena on Saturday, September 23, and Sunday, September 24. Arizona is the designated home team for the first preseason game, with Los Angeles claiming the second.
This is not the first time each of these teams has ventured outside of the USA. The Kings played a couple of preseason games in China back in 2017, various games in Germany and Sweden in 2011, as well as games in Austria and England in 2007. The Coyotes played a few overseas games in 2010, with one preseason game taking place in Latvia and even holding two regular-season games in Czechia.
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“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.”
Prices for tickets to the 2023 NHL Global Series – Melbourne are set at $79 for children and $99 for adults. The Telstra Australia customers’ pre-sale will begin on April 14 at 12 pm, but general admission tickets are going to open at 1 pm on April 17. Hit the link below to join the waitlist and secure early access.
