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NHL plans potential Texas expansion team announcement by year's end

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 22, 2026, 9:07 PM

Last updated Aug 22, 2026

NHL plans potential Texas expansion team announcement by year's end

Summary

The NHL is looking to award an expansion franchise in Texas by the end of 2026, according to deputy commissioner Bill Daly. The league anticipates updates from a group associated with Houston billionaire Dan Friedkin soon. Friedkin's group has committed to a $2 billion expansion fee for a team in either Houston or Austin, depending on arena construction and NHL approval. The franchise could start play in the 2029-30 season, with Houston emerging as the likely location while Austin remains a possibility. Further meetings are expected in September to discuss the progress and next steps.

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By the Numbers

•NHL aims for Texas expansion announcement by year's end.
•Dan Friedkin's group has agreed to a $2 billion fee.
•Team may play in Houston or Austin based on arena plans.
•NHL expects to start meetings with Friedkin's group in September.
•Potential franchise could begin play in 2029-30 season.

Latest Updates

9:07 PMYahoo Sports — NHL executive says a Texas expansion team could be approved and announced by year’s end

What they're saying

"
The NHL is hoping to award an expansion franchise to Texas as soon as the end of this year, deputy commissioner Bill Daly told The Athletic this week. In an interview at the NHL’s European media tour in Munich on Friday, Daly told the publication that he’s expecting the league to get an update from a group working with Houston billionaire Dan Friedkin within the next few weeks. Friedkin's group has already agreed to pay the $2 billion expansion fee to bring a team to Houston or Austin, dependent on the ability to build an arena in one of those cities and get final approval from the NHL’s Board of Governors for the league to add a 33rd team.
— Yahoo Sports

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Yahoo SportsAug 22, 2026, 9:07 PM
NHL executive says a Texas expansion team could be approved and announced by year’s end
The NHL is hoping to award an expansion franchise to Texas as soon as the end of this year, deputy commissioner Bill Daly told The Athletic this week. In an interview at the NHL’s European media tour in Munich on Friday, Daly told the publication that he’s expecting the league to get an update from a group working with Houston billionaire Dan Friedkin within the next few weeks. Friedkin's group has already agreed to pay the $2 billion expansion fee to bring a team to Houston or Austin, dependent on the ability to build an arena in one of those cities and get final approval from the NHL’s Board of Governors for the league to add a 33rd team.

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