North American ice hockey’s NHL has shortlisted Mexico City to host future international games as it looks to build its global profile.
Speaking during ESPN’s The Drop podcast, the NHL’s chief content officer Steve Mayer said the city has been chosen “because our teams are very interested in going there and exploring the market.”
Go deeper with GlobalData
He added: “Our international department and our events department get so many inquiries from all over the world, and we’ve heard from so many people that have done major events in big cities, and they love the fact that hockey can be viable in their countries.
“There are teams that would really love to go to Mexico.”
Teams including the Dallas Stars and Los Angeles Kings have previously held hockey camps in Mexico City, while Toronto Maple Leafs player Auston Matthews is of Mexican heritage.
The NHL has a long tradition of playing matches abroad, particularly in Europe, although the Global Series format was only officially introduced in 2017.
How well do you really know your competitors?
Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.
Thank you!
Your download email will arrive shortly
Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample
We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form
By GlobalDataHowever, since 2007, when the then-newly-introduced NHL Premiere program saw the NHL open its regular season in Europe, the league has played 32 pre-season games and 28 regular season contests there.
In 2019, NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said the league was considering the possibility of Russia as a Global Series destination in 2020. However, ultimately the pandemic put paid to the 2020-21 and 2021-22 editions, with that then being followed by Russia's invasion of Ukraine in early 2022.
The Global Series eventually returned to Europe for the 2022-23 season, with pre-season games held in Switzerland and Germany and regular-season games in Finland and the Czech Republic.
Stockholm and Gothenburg (Sweden), London (UK), and Berlin (Germany) have also hosted regular reason games during European visits.
Outside of Europe, Tokyo and Saitama in Japan have staged regular season matches while last month, the Arizona Coyotes and Los Angeles Kings played two pre-season games in Melbourne, Australia – marking the first time the NHL held an event in Australia.
The next Global Series games are slated for next month in Sweden, with the Detroit Red Wings, Minnesota Wild, Ottawa Senators, and Toronto Maple Leafs participating.
The NHL 2023-24 season started on October 10 and will end on April 18, 2024.
Meanwhile, the NHL Canadian franchise Ottawa Senators have agreed to a multi-year jersey sponsorship deal with the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC).
Under the deal, CIBC becomes both the official bank and the official financial institution of the Senators. The bank’s logo will be featured on the Senators' home jersey, starting with the team’s opening match against the Philadelphia Flyers tomorrow (October 14) at home arena Canadian Tire Centre (CTC).
As part of the deal, the CTC’s Club Red dining lounge will be rebranded Club CIBC and CIBC branding will feature heavily throughout the stadium. CIBC will also donate CA$500,000 ($365,825) to the Senators Community Foundation.
Cyril Leeder, Senators’ president and chief executive, said: “CIBC is a storied and iconic Canadian brand that has been helping Canadians for more than 150 years.
“We share common values of commitment to excellence and to the community and this agreement will have a positive impact at both Canadian Tire Centre and in the National Capital Region. We are honored to wear the CIBC logo next to our crest on our home jerseys and welcome CIBC to the Senators family.”
