government
Houston, Austin in consideration for NHL expansion franchise
By Michael Horton, Randy McIlvoy at KPRC 2 Click2Houston (NBC) - Local
· June 23, 2026
· 3 min read
The National Hockey League has taken a major step toward expanding into Texas, with Houston and Austin emerging as the leading candidates for a new franchise.Following Tuesday’s NHL Board of Governors meeting in New York, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman announced the league has approved the process...
Key takeaway Following Tuesday’s NHL Board of Governors meeting in New York, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman announced the league has approved the process for a new expansion team in Texas.
Why this matters in The Bellaire
The potential arrival of an NHL expansion franchise in Houston or Austin brings significant economic implications for the region. With the Friedkin family's sports portfolio already including Italian soccer club AS Roma, their involvement in bringing an NHL team to Texas could attract new businesses and investments to the area. If Houston is chosen, it would mean the city would have to accommodate another professional sports team, potentially leading to increased development around existing venues or the construction of new facilities. This could have a ripple effect on local infrastructure, transportation, and housing. Additionally, the presence of another NHL team in Texas would likely create a natural rivalry with the Dallas Stars, generating excitement among hockey fans in the region and potentially boosting attendance and viewership. As the evaluation process begins, residents of both Houston and Austin will be watching closely to see which city will be chosen to host the new franchise.
About this story
Original reporting by KPRC 2 Click2Houston (NBC) - Local . The Bellaire surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KPRC 2 Click2Houston (NBC) - Local . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: government ·
Published: June 23, 2026 ·
Source: KPRC 2 Click2Houston (NBC) - Local ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? The National Hockey League has taken a major step toward expanding into Texas, with Houston and Austin emerging as the leading candidates for a new franchise.Following Tuesday’s NHL Board of Governors meeting in New York, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman announced the league has approved the process...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 23, 2026 by KPRC 2 Click2Houston (NBC) - Local and curated for The Bellaire readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Michael Horton, Randy McIlvoy at KPRC 2 Click2Houston (NBC) - Local. To learn more about how The Bellaire selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more government coverage from The Bellaire, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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