NHL Expects to Hold Outdoor Game in Europe In 'Relatively Near Future,' Deputy Commissioner Says

One day after announcing Germany will host four games during the 2027-28 regular season, the next step for the NHL appears to be getting Europe to host an outdoor game.

Speaking to Tom Gulitti of NHL.com, NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly expressed with confidence the league will hold an outdoor game in a European market in the "relatively near future" though he couldn't provide a specific timeline.

"I think it's going to happen, for sure," Daly said. "When it's going to happen, I couldn't tell you, but I would say relatively near future would be a good guess."

The games in Germany will be divided between Munich and Cologne. The Boston Bruins will play twice at the SAP Garden in Munich, while the Edmonton Oilers will set up camp at Lanxess Arena in Cologne.

Based on the NHL's increased commitment to playing regular-season games overseas, an outdoor event at some point would be the logical next step.

Germany has hosted regular-season games dating back to the 2011-12 season. The Ottawa Senators and Chicago Blackhawks will play twice in Düsseldorf on Dec. 18 and 20.

Daly hinted at Allianz Arena, home of FC Bayern Munich, as a potential host venue for the outdoor game: "Yeah, I think that's fair."

It would make sense in the wake of the NHL and FC Bayern entering a multiyear partnership designed to help grow the sport of hockey in Germany and build Bayern's fanbase in North America.

Allianz Arena has a max capacity of 75,024 for soccer matches. Assuming a similar attendance for an NHL game, that would rank among the largest crowds in the history of the league.

The NHL Stadium Series, which began back in 2014, has featured 18 games and 19 teams. The most recent matchup at Raymond James Stadium saw the Tampa Bay Lightning defeat the Boston Bruins 6-5 in a shootout on Feb. 1.

AT&T Stadium is scheduled to host the next Stadium Series matchup on Feb. 1, 2027, between the Vegas Golden Knights and Dallas Stars.

The 2026-27 NHL regular season begins on Sept. 29 with the Florida Panthers taking on the defending Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes.