The NHL is considering an expansion team that could be located in either Houston or Austin and could begin playing in the 2029-30 season. Bill Daly, the league’s deputy commissioner, says the team could be ready within that timeframe and that an announcement could come by the end of the current calendar year.
Both outlets describe Texas as the leading destination, with Houston viewed as the more likely option. Newsweek adds that the expansion is being discussed as early as the end of 2026, suggesting the timeline may include both a potential announcement and subsequent preparations before play begins in 2029-30. The Athletic’s reporting focuses more specifically on Daly’s comments about the potential announcement window and the likelihood of Houston, rather than outlining an exact step-by-step schedule.
Overall, the two reports align on the league’s intention to expand to Texas, the Houston-versus-Austin choice, and the prospect of an NHL debut in the 2029-30 season, while differing slightly on emphasis regarding how soon the process could formally begin.
