Apr 24, 2026; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; NHL commissioner Gary Bettman speaks to the media before game three of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs between the Utah Mammoth and the Vegas Golden Knights at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
Apr 24, 2026; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; NHL commissioner Gary Bettman speaks to the media before game three of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs between the Utah Mammoth and the Vegas Golden Knights at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
The NHL is growing not only on the ice but also as a business. While fans enjoy the Stanley Cup Final, league officials are also celebrating strong growth in attendance, TV audiences, and business partnerships.
Before Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman spoke at the annual State of the League press conference.
According to him, the league expects revenue to reach between $7.5 billion and $8 billion this season, as reported by NHL.com. The growth comes from record sponsorship deals and strong fan interest across different platforms.
Apr 20, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; National Hockey League Commissioner Gary Bettman speaks at a press conference before the Pittsburgh Penguins host the Philadelphia Flyers in game two of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Apr 20, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; National Hockey League Commissioner Gary Bettman speaks at a press conference before the Pittsburgh Penguins host the Philadelphia Flyers in game two of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
He further stated that the NHL now has more than 75 national sponsors and expects to add more major partners soon. As for attendance, regular-season games filled about 96% of arena seats, and playoff games have averaged more than 100% of listed capacity.
According to the Ministry of Sport, the league has also experienced growth via TV ratings. Notably, ESPN and ABC saw a double-digit rise in viewership during the early playoff rounds.
For instance, the Western Conference Final averaged 2.2 million viewers across four games on ESPN, which was 44% higher than last year’s series.
The sport has also gained more attention at international events like the 4 Nations Face-Off and the Winter Olympics. Beyond the ice, Bettman noted that original projects such as Heated Rivalry and Off Campus have helped attract fans.
The league’s current US media deals with ESPN/ABC and TNT/TBS will continue through the 2027-28 season. The NHL is expected to begin exclusive renewal talks with its broadcast partners next year.
International Decisions and Development Pathways For NHL Remain Key
In addition to financial growth, the NHL discussed several important league issues during the press conference. Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly said the league is still watching the IIHF’s decision on Russia’s participation in future international tournaments.
NHL officials will use the IIHF’s 2026-27 guidelines when deciding if Russia can take part in the 2028 World Cup of Hockey.
"So, obviously, again, we're going to monitor what goes on there (IIHF)," Daly stated, as per NHL.com. "We're not going to be bound by it, but we're going to monitor it, and it'll be relevant to determining our process in determining the World Cup of Hockey."
In other matters, NHL officials confirmed that the decentralized draft format will continue after the 2026 NHL Draft in Buffalo. As a result, team executives will be able to work remotely without attending the draft in person.
Beyond the ice, the NHL has joined the Canadian Hockey League and USA Hockey in opposing the NCAA’s proposed five-for-five eligibility model.
According to officials, the rule could reduce college opportunities for young players and affect the current player-development system across North America.
As revenue nears record levels and important decisions shape the league's future, the NHL looks set for sustained growth on and off the ice.
Which of these developments do you think will have the biggest long-term impact on the NHL?
Read more at the NHL Fan Central.
Written by
Kapil Manghnani
Edited by
Sijo Paul