NHL to Atlanta

SUMMER 2026 RECAP:

First, I'm going to apologize for being gone for the last few months. Life happens sometimes and you have to deal with it. With that being said, there's plenty to catch up on as we look at where Atlanta's NHL efforts stand heading out of the summer.

NORTH POINT MALL: New York Life's redevelopment plan cleared a major hurdle when Alpharetta City Council approved the project 4-3 following more than six hours of debate.

There are still some important questions. Based on what was said publicly, NY Life does not appear to have a controlling owner in place to fund an NHL expansion franchise. The proposed pedestrian bridge connecting the development to MARTA's planned BRT station also does not currently have funding secured.

THE GATHERING: Things have been quieter in South Forsyth, but the project continues moving forward. From what I've read and have been told, Vernon Krause has maintained contact with the NHL behind the scenes and appears confident in his group's position. The biggest tangible development this summer came in June, when land-disturbance permits were issued for the planned practice facility on McGinnis Ferry Road.

ATLANTA GLADIATORS: Atlanta hockey got another dose of nostalgia this summer as the Gladiators brought back their classic colors with a modern update. Maroon, black and white are back, replacing the navy-and-gold identity and returning the team to a look longtime Gladiators fans will immediately recognize.

SO WHERE DO WE STAND?

Atlanta now has two prospective arena developments that have cleared major zoning hurdles as the NHL moves closer to determining what comes next with expansion.

There are still plenty of questions to answer, and one site appears to have an easier barrier to entry than the other. For now, both projects remain worth watching.

Time will tell what happens next.

Hi everyone, I wanted to take a moment to apologize for the confusion with the Blueland Tailgate this weekend. There was an error in editng. This mistake will not be repeated with any future events involving the NHL to Atlanta page.

The Blueland Tailgate is making a return this year for Thrashers Night!

We'll have music, co****le, street hockey, jersey raffles, and an appearance from Thrash & Maximus! Tailgate starts at 4:30pm in Lot A, next to Sugarloaf Pkwy. Be there or be square!

TICKET GIVEAWAY:

NHL to Atlanta is hosting a ticket giveaway at Thrashers Night for two lucky fans (2 tickets each)! Tickets are in Section 108, Row T, Seats 10-12.

Rules of the giveaway:
1. Like & share this post.
2. Tag a friend in the comments.
3. You must be following NHL to Atlanta.
4. Winners will be drawn on March 25 at 5:00pm.

The NHL to Atlanta section is back at Thrashers Night this year on March 28! Tickets are $30 and will help fans avoid the Ticketmaster fees.

We're planning another pregame tailgate this year in the main parking lot. Stay tuned for more details with the tailgate and a ticket giveaway!

Ticket Link: https://gofevo.com/event/Nhlto6

UPDATE: New York Life announces partnerships to redevelop North Point Mall.

New York Life has announced a partnership with Jamestown and Machete Group to redevelop North Point Mall into a 100-acre sports-anchored entertainment district. The proposed development includes an arena, hotels, retail, public transit access, and residential units, and is overall designed to attract an NHL team to metro Atlanta.

Jamestown, known for Ponce-City Market, has said they will oversee pre-development activities to position the site to attract an NHL team to the metro area. The final plan is expected to come when the rezoning process is complete.

Machete Group will work with Jameson to advise Jamestown on development, utilizing expertise in professional sports arenas to guide the process.

More updates on this project will follow as more information is released.

RECAP: Where an NHL return to Atlanta stands now...

With team USA winning Gold on Sunday, I wanted to recap the current standing of an NHL return to Atlanta.

1. Krause Sports & Entertainment:

The framework for an arena is completed and is essentially ready for a green light from the NHL. My understanding is the group is in contact with the league but has not met recently, likely due to a lack of new developments.

2. Alpharetta Sports & Entertainment:

Redevelopment efforts of North Point Mall are finally off the ground as the city has established a new Tax Allocation District to financially support an NHL-sized arena and surrounding development.

On February 10, Mayor Jim Gilvin hinted at big news in the near future for the mall, saying he is eager to learn which direction New York Life may take the mall. The Life Insurance company had previously stated intentions to build an NHL-sized arena but has not released details since.

3. Where does the NHL stand in this?

When it comes to the league, expansion seems to still be an afterthought. The NHL has not yet publicly stated any intentions to expand or shown favor to one group over another.

This leaves the question of why... is it because the league is content with 32 teams? Are there other plans the league is prioritizing? Or is it something else?

The only thing that is clear right now is the drive of ownership trying to bring a team here. Atlanta hockey fans have never had a team owner this driven to have a team and succeed here. That is worth noting and should not be taken for granted.

UPDATE: The City of Alpharetta has approved a tax allocation district to redevelop North Point Mall.

The approval came through a City Council meeting on Monday as part of the effort to revitalize the mall. Plans for redevelopment include 2,600 housing units, 3M square feet of office space, & a possible hockey arena.

City Council has been looking at this as a means of revitalizing the North Point area while also creating an ability to negotiate for a potential NHL team.

The next step in this process is to secure an investor to lead the redevelopment efforts.

BREAKING: The NHL and NHLPA ratified the new four-year CBA that's set to take effect in the 2026-27 season. This was viewed as the last major hurdle before expansion on the league side. Expect more expansion news before the end of this year.