NHL looking into hosting games in Mexico City

[MMC]

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[varsaku]

About time

 

[Yukon Joe]

Interesting.

Much easier travel than going to Australia, but again not a country with much hockey culture.

 

[LadyStanley]

Mexico City is CT zone

 

[Bixby Snyder]

Other than Mexico City Monterrey would be a good choice it's a very modern and American style city, I remember back in the days when Champcar would hold races there and they were always very well attended.

 

[Rob]

Other than Mexico City Monterrey would be a good choice it's a very modern and American style city, I remember back in the days when Champcar would hold races there and they were always very well attended.

What does Mexico have for arenas that could host a hockey game?

 

[Bixby Snyder]

What does Mexico have for arenas that could host a hockey game?

As far as I know both Mexico City and Monterrey have relatively modern arenas with seating capacities comparable to those used by the NBA and NHL and both cities have hosted NBA preseason games. I'm sure there are several more cities with similar facilities.

 

[BKIslandersFan]

This is the NBA/NHL capacity arena in Mexico City. I am not an architect or engineer so someone else has to do the math to see if rink can be fit without one side being unusable.

 

[joelef]

View attachment 753275

This is the NBA/NHL capacity arena in Mexico City. I am not an architect or engineer so someone else has to do the math to see if rink can be fit without one side being unusable.

I think Disney on ice has been there

 

[nhlanon1]

I really don't know why they are doing this. The NHL will never have any footprint in Mexico. It can't even conquer the Southern US. The game is too expensive at every level to watch and play, Mexico doesn't have any of the infrastructure for it. There's going to be a triple language barrier and there's a million other entertainment options right now that give the dopamine rush quicker than hockey does.

 

[Yukon Joe]

I really don't know why they are doing this. The NHL will never have any footprint in Mexico. It can't even conquer the Southern US. The game is too expensive at every level to watch and play, Mexico doesn't have any of the infrastructure for it. There's going to be a triple language barrier and there's a million other entertainment options right now that give the dopamine rush quicker than hockey does.

I mean - let's have some faith in our favourite sport.

When you talk about the dopamine rush - is there any sport that is both faster and harder hitting than hockey? The NHL does a good job at supplying the glitz and glamour, the novelty factor will bring some fans out if nothing else. And if you want to talk about playing - while ice hockey is expensive, ball hockey is damn cheap and can serve as a great introduction to the sport.

Whether it's a good idea or not I can't tell - but it's not a terrible idea.

I think Disney on ice has been there

Yes. Mexico City Arena (Arena Ciudad de México), opened in 2012, has hosted Disney on Ice according to Wiki. No idea if it has a permanent ice plant, but for a one-off event they could certainly bring in a temporary plant.

 

[sh724]

For those that do not know how to use google....Mexico does have a national hockey team so yes there is some interest in hockey and there is some infrastructure.

 

[ItsFineImFine]

Only took Gary and the boys 30 years to discover Mexico lol.

 

[Chet Manley]

I really don't know why they are doing this. The NHL will never have any footprint in Mexico. It can't even conquer the Southern US. The game is too expensive at every level to watch and play, Mexico doesn't have any of the infrastructure for it. There's going to be a triple language barrier and there's a million other entertainment options right now that give the dopamine rush quicker than hockey does.

It's only one game. If a team wants to gamble a home game's worth of revenue on its success than why not do something interesting? Sounds like the Coyotes are up for it. Play a Canadian team in January/February and I might book a flight.

 

[joelef]

I really don't know why they are doing this. The NHL will never have any footprint in Mexico. It can't even conquer the Southern US. The game is too expensive at every level to watch and play, Mexico doesn't have any of the infrastructure for it. There's going to be a triple language barrier and there's a million other entertainment options right now that give the dopamine rush quicker than hockey does.

Outside of Canada Mexico is pretty embracing of American sports. They even have oval race tracks .

 

[Albatros]

When you talk about the dopamine rush - is there any sport that is both faster and harder hitting than hockey?

 

[Bixby Snyder]

Outside of Canada Mexico is pretty embracing of American sports. They even have oval race tracks .

They even have college football and I'm talking about real football not soccer.

 

[LadyStanley]

Possible

 

[AmabileCassarole]

Mexico City sounds like an interesting concept. I'd be up to see it happen. Too bad it'll be tainted with the usual suspects whining about the game's "purity" being further tainted, which just makes me hope they do it even more.

 

[JMCx4]

Perfect opportunity for the Mexican cartels to kidnap a bunch of rich U.S. hockey fans. Good thinking, Gary B.

 

[ForumNamePending]

I get that piling on Bettman is fun and all, but...

Apparently the NBA has managed to hold 30+ games in Mexico City over the years and as far as I know there hasn't been any kidnappings linked to the games.

I think NHL fans who attend would probably make it out unscathed, and if they don't feel like they would be safe they do have the option of like... I dunno... not making the trip.

 

[joelef]

Perfect opportunity for the Mexican cartels to kidnap a bunch of rich U.S. hockey fans. Good thinking, Gary B.

nba mlb and nfl have played down theee for years and have had no problems

 

[Bixby Snyder]

Perfect opportunity for the Mexican cartels to kidnap a bunch of rich U.S. hockey fans. Good thinking, Gary B.

 

[BobColesNasalCavity]

The league scoping interest in preparation to move the Jets there

 

[awfulwaffle]

It's only one game. If a team wants to gamble a home game's worth of revenue on its success than why not do something interesting? Sounds like the Coyotes are up for it. Play a Canadian team in January/February and I might book a flight.

So the NHL is going to take a step into Mexico, and your idea is to have a team based out of Canada, where the country's population is only .42% of Mexican origin(55k people - based off the last census), is your option as the opponent?

The only thing I could think of is having a team with a player of Mexican origin on it partake, in which Toronto would be a good choice because of Auston Matthews. A superstar, and fits that bill. Otherwise I think it would make more sense to have a team like the Stars or Kings partake. The Stars have been outspoken about wanting to be Mexico's team, so I think someone like them would make more sense.