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    Which NHL Teams Have the Most Economic Impact?

    National Hockey League (NHL) game days significantly boost local economies, across the U.S. and Canada, from hotel revenue and stadium food sales to car parking fees. While the impact of sports on the economy is difficult to overstate, the benefits aren’t always evenly spread.

    To celebrate Playstar’s partnership with the New Jersey Devils, we looked at how different revenue streams reveal how much NHL teams benefit economy figures in their city. With our real-money New Jersey casino and sports-themed slots games, our new partnership is built on a shared passion for entertainment and excitement.

    Let’s take a look at the figures.

    Overall Economic Impact of the NHL

    A deep dive into the overall potential revenue generated by the NHL teams across the US and Canada. 

    The NHL has experienced significant growth over recent years, with total revenue in the 2022-23 season reaching an all-time high of $6.43 billion. While that figure includes TV revenue, sponsorship, and other branding, what is the impact of match-day activity in the cities where the teams are located?

    The total potential tourist and local spending, including stadium food and drink, across the NHL Eastern Conference is an impressive $31,623,529.73 for each game day. With those kinds of revenues generated, it’s not difficult to understand how the NHL helps the economy grow in its host cities.

    When it comes to the total of potential local and tourism trade on the local economy, one city stood out, and it’s not where you might think.

    Detroit came out on top for the highest overall local and tourist spending, with revenue figures of $3,371,509.50. Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, has the largest potential tourism spend on game days, with a potential revenue of $2,271,706.50. This is based on 75% of away ticket holders staying in a hotel, buying food and drinks locally, and eating food and drink in the stadium.

    This means that despite not winning the Stanley Cup since 2008, the Detroit Red Wings, with its long and proud history, is the most profitable NHL team in the US!

    Our analysis reveals that the New York Rangers rank as the second most profitable team, generating an impressive potential local and tourist revenue of $2,570,181.84. Following closely in third place are the Toronto Maple Leafs, with a potential revenue of $2,024,550 from local and tourist sources. Meanwhile, at the other end of the revenue table is Pennsylvania, the state that’s home to the Pittsburgh Penguins, with a potential local and tourist spending of $1,367,165.39 on game days.

    Meanwhile, the Canadian Tire Centre stadium in Ottawa, Ontario, has the highest potential local spend, at $890,568.00. At the other end of the scale, Ohio in Columbus has a potential local spend of over $500,000 lower, at $363,741.84.

    These figures show that even in cities towards the lower end of the revenue scale, NHL teams benefit the economy considerably.

    So when you’re caught up in the excitement of game day, whether as a local fan or a visitor, you’re also helping local businesses in the host city.

    Overall Economic Impact of the NHL

    Potential Overall Impact by State

    Potential earnings on game days by state

    NHL game days are exciting for more than just the host cities. The wider state can also prosper, with NHL revenues for hospitality businesses being a key component of the local economy. We examined the potential overall impact state by state and uncovered some interesting findings.

    When it comes to potential tourist and local spending across the state in hotels, restaurants, and bars generated by a single team, Michigan is at the top of our revenue list once again. Businesses in the state can expect to share around $3,371,509.50 around game days.

    Detroit is also the NHL city with the highest hotel prices, with the average cost being around $387 per night! If you’re looking for a more affordable away game trip, head to Ottawa, home of the Senators, where a hotel room for the night will only set you back around $109 on average.

    There are no surprises in second place, with hospitality businesses across New York State benefiting from Rangers games to the tune of $2,894,289.84. There’s no shortage of local hotels when visiting New York for a game, with 124 within 2 kilometers of Madison Square Garden. The three teams in the states collectively generate $6,605,868.11 on game days, demonstrating the significant impact of sport on the economy.

    A little further behind when it comes to revenue from a single club is the Canadian province of Ontario, home to the legendary Toronto Maple Leafs. Each game day sees businesses in the province potentially sharing $2,310,412.50. Taken together with the revenue generated in Ottawa, the figure for the province as a whole is $4,311,925.50.

    Pittsburgh Penguins generate less than half of the Detroit Oilers, with around $1,367,165.39 spent on accommodation, food, and drink on game days across the state. Meanwhile, in Philadelphia, a Flyers game can expect to bring in around $1,770,244.03, making a total of $3,137,409.42 across Pennsylvania as a whole. However, if you’re looking for somewhere to stay when you visit Philadelphia, you need to book early, with just 3 hotels near the Wells Fargo Center.

    Potential Overall Economic Impact by State

    Potential Food and Drink Revenue by Team

    The overall revenue generated through food and drinks on game days across the state

    Many fans consider beer and a hot dog a key part of the game day experience, but there’s more to food and drink spending than these perennial stadium favorites. Fans visit local restaurants and bars, taking time to enjoy a little local hospitality as well as the game.

    We examined how much fans spent across different states and the prices they could expect to pay for a drink and a meal.

    It’s perhaps no surprise that New York State, with three teams and a vibrant year-round tourist economy, generated the most of any NHL hosting state, with $923,195.50 of potential food and drink spend. New York State is nearly $300,000 ahead of its nearest rival, the Canadian province of Ontario, whose two teams generate an impressive $652,654.

    At the other end of the scale, New Jersey Devils generate $206,425 in potential food and drink spending for their state.

    While Pennsylvania has been towards the bottom of our tables, it more than makes up for it when it comes to food and drink. The two teams in the state bring in around $483.896 for food and drink businesses.

    Whether you’re a local fan or you’re traveling to an away game, the price you will pay for food and drink can vary considerably. In New York City, you can expect to pay around $39 for a meal and drink, whereas across the state in Buffalo, that figure drops to $25. In Montreal and Toronto, your money will go just a little further than in New York, with a bill of around $34.

    Potential Food and Drink Revenue by Team

    Potential Game Day Spend U.S.

    The total revenue generated on game day within the American states.

    Taking a look at the figures after excluding Canadian teams highlights the significant difference in rankings between the two countries.

    Our top place belongs to the New York Rangers who could potentially be bringing in $5,796,028 on game days for New York State if their stadium is maxed out. That’s an estimated spend of $322 per person! 

    Looking at other places in our ranking, The New Jersey Devils come in comfortably at number seven. They potentially earn $3,110,397 for the state of New Jersey on game days, with an average spend of $188 per person.

    Potential Game Day Spend

    Methodology

    For each team in the Eastern Conference, we gathered various data points, including stadium capacity, the approximate cost of match day tickets, and the estimated number of season and away ticket holders based on capacity. Additionally, we collected information on the price of beer and hotdogs at each stadium, as well as the number of hotels, bars, and restaurants within a 2km radius. We also noted the average hotel price per night and the typical costs for meals and drinks in each city, along with parking prices.

    To estimate potential hotel revenue, we calculated the number of away ticket holders multiplied by the average price of a hotel for one night.

    Potential local food and drink revenue was based on 50% of stadium capacity multiplied by the average cost of a meal and drink in each city.

    Potential stadium revenue was assessed by calculating 75% of stadium capacity purchasing a beer and a hotdog.

    Potential tourism spending accounted for 75% of away ticket holders who are anticipated to stay in hotels and dine locally.

    Further, potential spending on food and drink from tourists included the costs associated with away ticket holders staying overnight, enjoying meals and drinks locally, plus purchasing a beer and hotdog in the stadium.

    For local spending, we estimated 75% of season ticket holders dining locally, including parking costs.

    Additionally, potential local spending on food and drink considered 75% of season ticket holders who are likely to stay overnight and enjoy meals, drinks, parking, along with a beer and hotdog at the stadium.

    The total potential spend, encompassing both tourism and local expenditure, highlights the collective local spending figures.

    The total potential spend on food and drink integrates combined revenue from both local and tourist sources.

    All figures are accurate as of November 2024.

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