NHL Revenue Projections Reach $6.8 Billion This Season

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman announced at the NHL Board of Governors meetings in Colorado Springs, Colorado, that the league projects revenue to reach approximately $6.8 billion for the current season.

Bettman stated that this figure aligns with the NHL's expectations and will not affect the salary cap figures previously agreed upon by the NHL and NHL Players' Association for the next two seasons. The NHL's salary cap is set at an upper limit of $95.5 million for this season, with projections to increase to $104 million in 2026-27 and $113.5 million in 2027-28.

The salary cap floor stands at $70.6 million this season, increasing to $76.9 million in 2026-27 and $83.9 million in 2027-28. Bettman noted that the projections were informed by the recent renewal of the Rogers contract as the national rights holder in Canada, which spans 11 years for $11 billion Canadian dollars, equivalent to nearly $8 billion USD.

Media rights deals, ticket sales, and recent jersey and board advertisements have significantly contributed to this revenue growth. The NHL is also anticipating a boost in revenue momentum following the participation of NHL players in the 2026 Olympics in February, marking their return to the Olympic stage since 2014.