NHL to Reportedly Explore Houston, Austin for Potential Expansion Franchise During 2026 Offseason

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman reportedly informed the league's Board of Governors during a meeting in New York on Tuesday that a process will begin to investigate the possibility of an expansion franchise in Houston or Austin, Texas, per Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet and NHL Network.

"More details after meeting is complete, but it is believed the same ownership group will lead the process, deciding on which of the two cities better fits for the NHL," Friedman wrote.

The NHL last expanded in 2021, when the Seattle Kraken began play as the league's 32nd franchise.

David Pagnetta of The Fourth Period and St. Louis Blues reporter Andy Strickland provided some insight:

TSN's Darren Dreger also chimed in on how ownership might react to expansion.

Per ESPN's Emily Kaplan, Bettman said at the press conference at the Stanley Cup Final that the league has taken calls from prospective cities and owners interested in bringing an NHL franchise to their locales.

The fee to do so will be costly. Per Kaplan, Bettman "previously told the board of governors that any potential expansion team would likely come with at least a $2 billion fee for it to make sense."

That's a steep rise from previous expansion fees ($500 million for the Vegas Golden Knights in 2017-18 and $650 million for Seattle in 2021-22).

Still, one can surmise there will be an ownership group willing to pay that price. The wheels appear to be in some motion toward further expansion at this point, with Houston and Austin now in the picture.

Austin has never had a professional major league hockey team, although Houston was once home to the World Hockey Association's Aeros from 1972-1978.

Cedar Park, a suburb of Austin, is the current home of the Dallas Stars' AHL affiliate, the Texas Stars.