#NHLPeachy @NHL Melbourne to Host First-Ever National Hockey League Games in the Southern Hemisphere
2023 NHL Global Series – Melbourne to Feature Preseason Matchups Between Arizona Coyotes and Los Angeles Kings on Sept. 23-24
The National Hockey League (NHL) and National Hockey League Players' Association (NHLPA) today announced the Arizona Coyotes and Los Angeles Kings will face off in the first-ever NHL games in the Southern Hemisphere, as Melbourne, Australia will play host to the 2023 NHL Global Series™ – Melbourne. The preseason games between the Coyotes and Kings will be played on Saturday, Sept. 23 and Sunday, Sept. 24 at Rod Laver Arena. This historic announcement advances the NHL’s commitment to grow the game globally, while furthering the League’s international strategy.
Supported by the Victorian Government through its tourism and major events agency – Visit Victoria – alongside event promoters TEG Sport and Left Field Live, the 2023 NHL Global Series – Melbourne will showcase Melbourne as the premier destination for sport in Australia.
“Nowhere does major events like Melbourne and that’s why we are able to attract the biggest sporting spectacles from around the globe,” Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos said. “Securing the NHL’s first ever games in the Southern Hemisphere is not only a win for fans but will deliver big benefits for tourism businesses in our city. These games will also promote Melbourne to millions of potential visitors watching through global broadcasts.”
“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.”
The matchups in September will be the NHL’s first foray into the Southern Hemisphere, but not the first international trip for either the Kings or Coyotes. The Kings most recently played two preseason games in China in 2017. In addition, Los Angeles has played preseason games in Austria (2007) and Germany (2011), as well as regular-season games in England (2007), Germany (2011), and Sweden (2011). In 2010, Arizona played one preseason game in Latvia and two regular-season games in Czechia. A complete history of NHL preseason games and regular-season games played outside North America can be found by clicking the links below:
“Melbourne is recognized worldwide for embracing anything and everything sports, making it the ultimate destination to host NHL players in the upcoming NHL Global Series games,” said Marty Walsh, NHLPA Executive Director. “The players on the Kings and Coyotes look forward to introducing themselves to Australians this September and experiencing the excitement of their renowned sports fandom firsthand.”
“The Arizona Coyotes are honored to represent the National Hockey League at the NHL Global Series in Melbourne,” said Coyotes President & CEO Xavier A. Gutierrez. “This is a tremendous opportunity for the Coyotes and Kings to introduce our great game to the incredibly passionate sports fans of Melbourne. The Coyotes are committed to growing our game and we look forward to interacting with all the tremendous people, partners, and fans-in-waiting in Australia.”
“The Los Angeles Kings are thrilled to be featured in the NHL Global Series in Melbourne,” said Kings President Luc Robitaille. “This historic event with both the Kings and Coyotes will represent the game of hockey at the highest levels, and Melbourne will be a tremendous host. The Kings embrace every opportunity to grow the game and expand our reach and we look forward to working with each of our partners to help make the event a success and to launch our 2023-24 season in grand fashion.”
“After many years of work, TEG Sport, together with our partners Left Field Live, are delighted to be promoting the first ever NHL visit to Australian shores,” said TEG CEO Geoff Jones. “The world-renowned Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne will be transformed into the ultimate NHL destination for this historic preseason series between the Arizona Coyotes and Los Angeles Kings. We encourage fans to get in early with tickets, corporate and travel packages as demand is expected to be high. This event will be an incredible addition to Melbourne’s sensational major sporting events calendar and I thank our key partner Visit Victoria and the great support of the Victorian Government in making this event a reality.”
Today’s announcement was made from Federation Square in Melbourne at a news conference attended by Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos, NHL Senior Executive Vice President of Media & International Strategy David Proper, Kings legend Dustin Brown and Coyotes alumnus Darcy Hordichuk.
Arizona will be designated the home team for the Sept. 23 matchup, and Los Angeles will be designated the home team for the game on Sept. 24. Travel packages will be available to fans of both clubs. Ticketing information for the 2023 NHL Global Series – Melbourne is listed below. Additional details will be announced when available.
*Tickets from $79 for children and $99 for adults
*Hospitality and travel packages via Ticketek on sale now
*Join waitlist now to secure early access to general admission tickets at 1 p.m. on April 17 https://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/show.aspx?sh=NHLWAIT
*Telstra Australia customers pre-sale starts Friday, April 14 at 12 p.m.
NHL and the NHL Shield are registered trademarks and NHL Global Series name and logo are trademarks of the National Hockey League. NHL and NHL team marks are the property of the NHL and its teams. © NHL 2023. All Rights Reserved.
ABOUT THE NHL
The National Hockey League (NHL®), founded in 1917, consists of 32 Member Clubs. Each team roster reflects the League’s international makeup with players from more than 20 countries represented, all vying for the most cherished and historic trophy in professional sports – the Stanley Cup®. Every year, the NHL entertains more than 670 million fans in-arena and through its partners on national television and radio; more than 191 million followers - league, team and player accounts combined - across Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube; and more than 100 million fans online at NHL.com. The League broadcasts games in more than 160 countries and territories through its rightsholders including ESPN, WBD Sports and NHL Network in the U.S.; Sportsnet and TVA Sports in Canada; Viaplay in the Nordics, Baltics, and Poland; YLE in Finland; Nova in Czech Republic and Slovakia; Sky Sports and ProSieben in Germany; MySports in Switzerland; and CCTV5+ in China; and reaches fans worldwide with games available to stream in every country. Fans are engaged across the League’s digital assets on mobile devices via the free NHL® App; across nine social media platforms; on SiriusXM NHL Network Radio™; and on NHL.com, available in eight languages and featuring unprecedented access to player and team statistics as well as every regular-season and playoff game box score dating back to the League’s inception, powered by SAP. NHL Original Productions and NHL Studios produce compelling original programming featuring unprecedented access to players, coaches and League and team personnel for distribution across the NHL’s social and digital platforms.
The NHL is committed to building healthy and vibrant communities using the sport of hockey to celebrate fans of every race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, age, sexual orientation, and socio-economic status. The NHL’s Hockey Is For Everyone™ initiative reinforces that the official policy of the sport is one of inclusion on the ice, in locker rooms, boardrooms and stands. The NHL is expanding access and opportunity for people of all backgrounds and abilities to play hockey, fostering more inclusive environments and growing the game through a greater diversity of participants. To date, the NHL has invested more than $100 million in youth hockey and grassroots programs, with a commitment to invest an additional $5 million for diversity and inclusion programs over the next year.
ABOUT THE NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE PLAYERS’ ASSOCIATION
The National Hockey League Players’ Association, established in 1967, is a labour organization whose members are the players in the National Hockey League. The NHLPA works on behalf of the players in varied disciplines such as labour relations, product licensing, marketing, international hockey and community relations, all in furtherance of its efforts to promote its members and the game of hockey. In 1999, the NHLPA Goals & Dreams fund was launched as a way for the players to give something back to the game they love. Over the past 23 years, more than 80,000 deserving children in 34 countries have benefited from the players' donations of hockey equipment. NHLPA Goals & Dreams has donated more than $26 million to grassroots hockey programs, making it the largest program of its kind. For more information on the NHLPA, please visit www.nhlpa.com.
ABOUT THE ARIZONA COYOTES
The Arizona Coyotes are a National Hockey League franchise based in Tempe , Arizona. The Coyotes are owned by Chairman and Governor Alex Meruelo. Since the club’s first season in the Valley of the Sun in 1996, the Coyotes have been a leader in the community and steadfast in its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. For the latest news and information on the Coyotes, please visit ArizonaCoyotes.com. Fans can follow the team on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
ABOUT THE LOS ANGELES KINGS
The Los Angeles Kings have enjoyed a rich history of excitement, passion, and championship glory in Southern California while demonstrating the utmost commitment to their fans, partners, and community. Owned and operated by AEG, the Los Angeles Kings began play in 1967 and now play at world-famous Crypto.com Arena in Downtown Los Angeles. Since our inception we have strived to be the ultimate leader as it relates to employing many of the greatest players in National Hockey League history, and hosting and participating in incredible events highlighted by two Stanley Cup Championships.
ABOUT VISIT VICTORIA
Visit Victoria is the State of Victoria’s primary tourism, business and major events company, leading the sector in creating, curating and communicating Victoria’s inspiring experiences to maximise visitation. Established in July 2016, Visit Victoria brings the best of Tourism Victoria, Victorian Major Events Company and Melbourne Convention Bureau under one brand that capitalises on commercial opportunities in an increasingly competitive and dynamic global tourism market. The team operates in a collaborative and agile environment that informs, connects and partners with industry and the Victorian State Government to amplify Victoria's profile.
ABOUT TEG SPORT
TEG Sport is a producer and promoter of live sporting events featuring the world’s biggest sporting teams and brands. TEG Sport is owned by TEG, a leading global live entertainment, ticketing, and technology business which operates worldwide out of seven country offices. TEG also includes TEG Live, TEG Experiences, TEG Dainty, TEG MJR, TEG Van Egmond, Laneway Festival, Handsome Tours, TEG Rockefeller, Qudos Bank Arena, Ticketek, Ticketek Marketplace, Eventopia, Softix, TicketCharge, TicketWorld, Ticketek Singapore and Ovation.
Life is Better Live. Whether it’s Sport, Concerts, Musicals, Theatre or Exhibitions, nothing beats the live experience! For more information www.teg.com.au
ABOUT LEFT FIELD LIVE
Left Field Live (LFL) is an international live sports events business created to help sports rights holders reach new and interesting markets. LFL has delivered events across a range of sports including rugby union, international soccer, ice hockey, basketball, college football and baseball into markets like Australia, North America, Asia, the Middle East and Europe.
