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The NHL could be headed to Atlanta for a third time.
Forsyth County, where a planned expansion team would be located, approved plans earlier this week for a $3 billion-plus development called “The Gathering at South Forsyth,” which will primarily feature an NHL-ready arena. The plans are being spearheaded by Krause Sports and Entertainment, initially proposed in 2023.
“This vote marks a catalytic step forward in bringing this visionary project to life,” CEO Vernon Krause said in a release. “Our team is more energized than ever as we prepare to meet with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman to discuss possible expansion. We own the land in a robust and growing market with a development that will include an NHL-caliber arena ready to be built.”
The NHL is approaching 10 years since adding the Vegas Golden Knights (2017) and five years since adding the Seattle Kraken (2021) as expansion franchises. Commissioner Bettman and deputy commissioner Bill Daly have been reluctant to discuss further expansion at recent press conferences, but they have never fully shut down the conversation.
“I think what Gary is clear about is, there is no current intention to open up a formal expansion process and invite bids,” Daly told The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun last month. “It’s much more of a one-on-one conversation and relationship we have with various potential owners.”
According to the official “NHL to Atlanta” social media accounts, Krause and others are expected to meet with NHL officials in the coming weeks.
BREAKING: Forsyth County votes to approve the final documentation that would allow the Krause group to formally propose NHL expansion into metro Atlanta. The group is now expected to present its complete proposal to the NHL in the coming weeks.The vote, which passed this evening,… pic.twitter.com/g8AyEbDa9Q
— NHL to Atlanta (@NHLtoAtlanta) June 11, 2025
“Forsyth County votes to approve the final documentation that would allow the Krause group to formally propose NHL expansion into metro Atlanta,” the tweet reads. “The group is now expected to present its complete proposal to the NHL in the coming weeks. The vote, which passed this evening, was widely seen as the final hurdle; expansion is likely imminent.”
Atlanta previously housed the Atlanta Flames for eight seasons, who then relocated to Calgary in 1980. They then had the Atlanta Thrashers for 11 seasons before relocation and becoming the Winnipeg Jets in 2011.
“I think some of the challenges that we’ve seen in the past in Atlanta can be overcome,” Daly told ESPN’s Greg Wyshynski in 2023.
Atlanta is the eighth-largest metropolitan area in the United States, according to the US Census Bureau, and continues to grow. According to US Census data gathered by Urbanize Atlanta, Forsyth County’s current 272,000-resident population shot up by 132 percent between the years 2000 and 2019, making it the state’s fastest-growing county this century.
The city is already home to the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons, MLB’s Atlanta Braves, the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks, the WNBA’s Atlanta Dream, and MLS’s Atlanta United FC.
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RMNB is not associated with the Washington Capitals; Monumental Sports, the NHLPA, the NHL, or its properties. Not even a little bit.
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