Friedkin Group targets Travis County for potential NHL franchise in Texas
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Oct 30, 2026, 5:55 PM
Last updated Oct 30, 2026
Dan Friedkin and Pursuit Sports have identified the Travis County Exposition Center in Austin as a potential site for the NHL’s 33rd expansion team. The center, a 128-acre property, is under lease until 2033 and would require a new arena to host NHL games. This development comes amid ongoing discussions about expansion in Texas, where hockey history exists at the site, having previously housed the Austin Ice Bats. NHL officials aim to finalize expansion decisions by the end of 2026, with a target for the team to begin play in the 2029 or 2030 season.
- •Pursuit Sports holds an exclusive term sheet with the NHL.
- •Travis County Exposition Center previously hosted the Austin Ice Bats.
- •NHL aims to decide on expansion by the end of 2026.
- •Construction of a new arena is necessary for NHL operations.
- •Toyota Center in Houston could serve as a temporary venue.
- 5:55 PMYahoo Sports — Friedkin Group eyes Travis County site as Austin-Houston race for NHL team continues
"The 128-acre fairgrounds property has hosted hockey before, but it would need a new arena to accommodate an NHL franchise.
Sources
External linksOriginal reporting and copyright belong to the linked sources. SportsNewsReport.com aggregates and links — it does not republish full articles.
Related Stories
Last 14 days
NHL•Oct 30, 2026, 6:43 PMRangers captain plays Tinker Bell at Halloween party: ‘makes group closer’
NHL•Oct 30, 2026, 5:35 PMPierre LeBrun Puts Larkin Standoff on Red Wings Ownership
NHL•Oct 30, 2026, 3:45 PMPatrick Kane Learned How Detroit Still Feels About Him
NHL•Oct 30, 2026, 3:25 PMThe Athletic Names Two Candidates for the Red Wings Captaincy
NHL•Oct 30, 2026, 1:59 PMFlorida Panthers Tease New Tropical Pink Gear at Morning Skate
NHL•Oct 30, 2026, 1:38 PMNHL Rumours: Maple Leafs Looking to Move Veteran Forward