The NHL could soon be able to play several games in Germany. The US league seems to be considering, among other things, the Düsseldorf location.
The NHL brings together the best hockey players in the world. The demand to be able to follow these stars worldwide is correspondingly high. The NHL wants to make this possible and thinks about one or more games far away from the USA.
Gernot Tripcke, league leader of the DEL, confirms:”There has already been contact with the responsible persons. I’m in good spirits, but there’s nothing definite yet, as other countries are also showing great interest.”
In addition to Germany, Switzerland, Finland, Sweden and China also offer opportunities for expansion.
China in particular is leading the way in the negotiations. In early 2017, the Vancouver Canucks and Los Angeles Kings played in Shanghai and Beijing.
In Germany, the last NHL visit goes back to 2011, when the LA Kings and Buffalo Sabres made a guest appearance in Berlin.
The O2-World is an option for the NHL in 2018. In addition to Berlin, Mannheim, Cologne and Düsseldorf are also in the race. In addition to the number of spectators, the status as a DEL venue is probably also decisive, which is why Hamburg seems unlikely at the moment.