Utah‘s Rapid Progress Impresses NHL Commissioner

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman recently visited Salt Lake City for the unveiling of the Utah Mammoth’s name adn logo. Bettman, who has led the NHL for over three decades, expressed considerable enthusiasm for the Utah market, noting its swift progress in establishing the infrastructure necessary to support a professional hockey team. This rapid progress has sparked speculation about the possibility of Salt Lake City hosting an NHL outdoor game in the near future.

outdoor Game in Utah: A Matter of When, Not If?

During his visit, accompanied by team co-owners Ryan and Ashley Smith, Bettman hinted strongly at the likelihood of an outdoor game being held in Utah. His comments suggest that it’s becoming more of a formality than a distant possibility.

I think we can put in place everything that needs to be. Just a little further on this road, there is a nice stadium. We have to predict these things with a little ahead, but it is indeed on our radar.
Gary Bettman,NHL Commissioner

Potential Venues in Salt Lake City

Two primary venues are being considered for a potential NHL outdoor game in Salt Lake City:

• America First Field: This stadium,currently home to Real Salt Lake of Major League Soccer (MLS),has a capacity of 20,000 and is already owned by Ryan smith.
• Rice-Eccles Stadium: Located at the University of utah,this football stadium boasts a capacity of over 50,000,making it an ideal location for a large-scale event like an NHL outdoor game.

The larger capacity of Rice-Eccles Stadium makes it a particularly attractive option for the NHL, perhaps drawing a meaningful crowd and generating ample revenue.

Montreal’s Outdoor Game History: Always a guest,Never the Host

while the Montreal Canadiens have participated in four NHL outdoor games,they have never had the possibility to host one. Their previous outdoor appearances include:

• 2003: commonwealth Stadium, Edmonton
• 2011: McMahon Stadium, Calgary
• 2016: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough
• 2017: TD Place Stadium, Ottawa

The lack of a home outdoor game for such a historically significant franchise is a point of contention for many Canadiens fans.

NHL’s Upcoming Outdoor Games

The NHL has already scheduled two outdoor games for the upcoming season in Florida:

• Winter Classic (January 2, 2026): LoanDepot Park, Miami
• Stadium Series (February 1, 2026): Raymond James Stadium, Tampa Bay (Tampa Bay Lightning vs.Boston Bruins)

The Future of NHL Outdoor Games

The NHL’s continued expansion of outdoor games demonstrates the league’s commitment to engaging fans in unique and memorable ways. With Salt Lake City emerging as a promising new market, and with the league actively exploring new locations, the prospect of an outdoor game in Utah seems increasingly likely. Whether Montreal will finally get its chance to host remains to be seen, but for now, the spotlight is on Salt Lake City.