Games

Aussie Ice: Arizona Coyotes, Los Angeles Kings To Play Preseason Series in Australia Next Season

By Michael Fleetwood·

Gary A. Vasquez/NHLI via Getty Images

The NHL is one of North America’s “Big 4” sports leagues, with a following not only in the Western Hemisphere, but throughout the globe. The league will do its best to extend that outreach next season with a preseason series in the Land Down Under.

The NHL, NHL Players’ Association, Coyotes, and Kings announced that the two clubs will play a preseason series from September 23-24 in the city of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia as part of the NHL’s Global Series.

The league will showcase Melbourne as the premier sport destination in Australia in conjunction with Visit Victoria tourism and events agency.

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman released the following statement:

“We are delighted to bring the excitement and passion of the National Hockey League to the dynamic city of Melbourne and the great sports fans of Australia with the 2023 Global Series games. The Arizona Coyotes and Los Angeles Kings are two of our League’s rising young teams and among our most innovative and adventurous franchises. We look forward to their two games at Rod Laver Arena and know this history-making visit will thrill our many avid fans in Australia and cause so many more throughout the sports-loving nation to be captivated by our great game.”

Both the Kings and Coyotes have played abroad in the past, although these will be the first contests in the Southern Hemisphere. There has been just one NHL player that hails from Australia, former Washington Capitals and current St. Louis Blues forward Nathan Walker.

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The NHL has held games internationally before, with Arizona and Los Angeles participating in games in China, England, Latvia, and Germany among others. Arizona will be the home team at Rod Laver Arena, and tickets will cost $79 for children and $99 for adults, while travel packages for fans of both clubs will be made available as well.

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