It is becoming increasingly common for leagues to play international games. Some are friendly games with similar sports leagues, but some simply play for an international audience. They do this to accommodate international fans, and to grow their reach. This is why when you look at Interactive Bookie News, you will often see some games on the slate held in special venues. And it looks like we will be seeing more NHL international games in the future.
The interest in adding more international games was discussed as the league is on its European Player Media Tour. In its Prague leg of the tour, NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly mentioned that the league has a list of places that they would like to bring the games to.
Current International Game Schedule
Those who bet on hockey love betting on these games. There is no such thing as a home advantage. With both teams playing in different venue-unfamiliar ones, even, the dynamics become different. And by different, it means more excitement and unpredictability in hockey betting.
In the upcoming 2024-25 NHL season, there will be two pre-season games scheduled in Germany. There will also be two regular-season games in Czechia. And Finland will also host another two regular-season games. These planned games bring the total of NHL international games to 20 in Europe since 2017. As for preseason games, the number will increase to 13 in Europe, Asia, and Australia.
The league wants to increase the number of games, as well as the number of countries they will play in. Currently, the 20 games are only played in Sweden (9 games), Finland (6 games), and Czechia (five games).
Plans to Increase NHL International Games
The league aims to add countries such as England, Germany, and Switzerland as possible venues for future NHL games. Previously, the league has played pre-season games in London (two games) and Germany (1 Game). Switzerland will be a new venue for the NHL.
They are also looking at holding more pre-season NHL international games in Australia in the future. The NHL enjoyed good results when they held its first two exhibition games there last September. This was the first time that the NHL held events in the Southern Hemisphere. There are no finalized plans, as things are still a work in progress. But the league is looking forward to seeing the NHL perform on an increasingly international stage.
The season will start on October 4 as the Buffalo Sabres face the New Jersey Devils in Prague, Czechia. You can earn a lot from NHL betting if you start setting up your online sportsbook. If you worry about competing for your player base, do not worry. There are ways how bookies compete against large sportsbooks. And with the right tools, you can easily earn comfortably with your online bookie business.
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