government
Houston, Austin in consideration for NHL expansion franchise
By Michael Horton, Randy McIlvoy at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC)
· 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 Tomball News
The possibility of an NHL expansion franchise in Houston or Austin brings significant economic implications for the region. A new team would likely attract substantial investment in infrastructure, including a potential new arena or renovations to an existing venue. This could have a ripple effect on local businesses, particularly in the hospitality and entertainment sectors. Additionally, the presence of a professional hockey team could enhance the region's reputation as a sports destination, potentially drawing more events and tourists to the area. As the Friedkin family evaluates both cities, they will likely consider factors such as fan base enthusiasm, corporate support, and municipal cooperation. Houston's experience with hosting major sports events, including those at the Toyota Center, could be an advantage in the evaluation process. The decision will be closely watched by local officials, business leaders, and sports fans, all of whom are eager to see which city will ultimately be selected as the home of Texas' next NHL team.
About this story
Original reporting by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . Tomball News 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) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: government ·
Published: June 23, 2026 ·
Source: KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) ·
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) and curated for Tomball News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Michael Horton, Randy McIlvoy at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC). To learn more about how Tomball News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more government coverage from Tomball News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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