Arizona Coyotes to Face LA Kings in Historic NHL Global Series Down Under in Australia, in the First-Ever NHL Games to be Played in the Southern Hemisphere
This Thrilling Two-game Series Will Begin at 9 p.m.
Local Time on Friday, September 22nd, and Saturday, September 23rd.
The Arizona Coyotes are set to make history as the team heads to Melbourne, Australia, to take on the LA Kings in the first-ever NHL games to be played in the Southern Hemisphere. This event is part of the NHL's ongoing efforts to expand its reach to a broader global audience.
The two NHL teams will compete in a thrilling two-game series at the iconic Rod Laver Arena, which is known for hosting the Australian Open tennis tournament. Coyotes’ fans can catch the action as it happens Friday, September 22nd, and Saturday, September 23rd at 9 p.m. PST. The games can be seen on ESPN+ and the NHL Network.
The exciting trip overseas marks the second time the Arizona Coyotes have played a game on another continent to showcase their skills. Previously, in 2010, the Coyotes played two regular-season games in Czechia, versus the Boston Bruins, strengthening its global presence and building international connections.
When speaking about Australia, Coyotes player Jason Zucker said, “I’m looking forward to it. It’s going to be a lot of fun. We’re fortunate enough to be able to go on a great trip, have a lot of fun doing it, and have a great team bonding aspect along with it.”
The NHL has a long history of taking the game beyond its traditional North American borders, with the inaugural international matches dating back to 1938 when the Detroit Red Wings and Montreal Canadiens faced off in the United Kingdom. Over the years, the league has brought the thrill of NHL hockey to fans in 15 different countries, with the most recent Global Series featuring games in Switzerland; Berlin, Germany; Prague, Czech Republic and Finland.
“Getting down there and having this trip right off the bat, it’s going to be fun for all of us. We’re going to get some good work in,” said Coyotes player Alex Kerfoot. “It’s unique, where you have the full team together right away. Usually, when you start in these camps, you’re in split groups, so I think we can take advantage of that and get to know everyone really quickly, and it’s up to us with what we do with that time.”
The NHL's commitment to expanding its presence beyond the United States and Canada remains steadfast, and the upcoming Global Series in Australia represents a new milestone breaking into the southern hemisphere. The NHL Global Series presents an opportunity for the league to showcase its product to a diverse and passionate audience, highlighting the global appeal of ice hockey.
“Just being together in the short period of time together, traveling together, and going through a little bit of adversity with the travel times, I think it’s going to bond us,” said General Manager Bill Armstrong. “You get to play right away and you get to play a battle-tested L.A. Kings team on the other side, so it’s going to be a tremendous challenge for the group.”
The Arizona Coyotes will depart from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport on Saturday, September 16th, and are expected to return to the Valley on Monday, September 25th, leaving fans eagerly anticipating the season home opener on Saturday, October 21st. Tickets are available for the season home opener here.
The Arizona Coyotes and LA Kings game in Melbourne will be a historic moment for the franchise and its fans.
About Arizona Coyotes:
The Arizona Coyotes are a National Hockey League franchise based in Tempe, Arizona. The Coyotes are owned by Chairman and Governor Alex Meruelo. Since the club’s first season in the Valley of the Sun in 1996, the Coyotes have been a leader in the community and steadfast in its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. For the latest news and information on the Coyotes, please visit ArizonaCoyotes.com. Fans can follow the team on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
