The NHL is big business these days. With thirty-two teams in markets across North America, hockey fans can experience NHL action from Vancouver and Seattle to Florida and Texas. Attendance records have been set in recent years as attending a professional hockey game becomes increasingly difficult based on capacity for many arenas.

National Hockey League Regular Season Attendance – 2024-25

Here is a look at the attendance data for each of the thirty-two NHL franchises for the 2024-25 season. With the league upping the # of regular season games to 84 beginning in the 2026-27 season, increased attendance figures will be sure to follow. Interesting to see teams like the Columbus Blue Jackets in the top ten in attendance.

Here is a look at what the capacity looked liked for last season (2024-25).

The majority of markets are at or near full capacity, but there are some markets that still have some capacity issues. Data is based on what the National Hockey League releases and it should be noted that attendance data is based on tickets sold and may not necessarily reflect the actual crowd on a given game night. Watch a Florida Panthers game on many given nights and you will see a number of empty seats…. yes the Florida Panthers are two-time defending champions. So on paper, business is good, but the empty seats on witnessed on television is not a good look.

Factors Impacting Attendance

When it comes down to it, the attendance in the NHL is pretty strong but as with any professional sports league there are factors that impact attendance. These include:

1. Team performance – it’s not rocket science, when teams perform well attendance is high (see Edmonton Oilers). When teams are not winning, attendance can suffer (see Buffalo Sabres).
2. Expense/Cost – in most markets, attending an NHL game is not cheap. The billionaire owners have to recoup the money they pay their athletes and coaches to perform. Even in today’s challenging financial market, it’s rare that you see NHL ticket prices dropping.
3. Fan frustration – hockey fans are typically patient but at some point even they can boycott their favourite teams. It’s surprising that even though a Canadian team has not won the Stanley Cup since 1993 that Canadian hockey fans still attend games as much as they do. Fan frustration is a really thig and while hockey is damn near a religion in Canada, fans expect success.
4. NHL Expansion – once thing that can impact attendance is expansion to new markets. The whole “shiny new object” mindset when a new team comes into the league is something that can see attendance is the new markets grow and be strong. When Vegas joined the NHL, there were many people getting tickets to see their favourite team come to town. Heck the author lives in British Columbia and took his family to Vegas to watch their favourite team (#LetsGoOilers) within the first two seasons that Vegas entered the league. Same with Seattle when they joined.
5. The economy – its no secret that the world is in a crazy place these days. In like never before the middle-class continues to get squeezed and there will be a point where luxury experiences such as attending a professional sports game becomes harder to do. Take a family of four to a Kraken game in Seattle or an Oilers game in Edmonton. If you are from out of town, the cost can easily run you a couple of grand. When will it hit the point of no return for the average hockey fan to be able to attend a hockey game with their family?

The attendance of the NHL is strong. The salary cap continues to go up and that doesn’t happen if the league is not growing revenues. Hockey fans will continue to go and cheer on their favourite team… and to be honest there is nothing better than watching your favourite team up close and in person live in an NHL arena, but make no mistake about it, this is becoming harder to do for the average hockey fan. Especially in markets where the almighty corporate dollars are in play.