Tomas Hertl is staring at you right now. He's wondering what you're doing on February 12 through the 20th. Will you watch Vegas Golden Knights stars like Jack Eichel grace the ice in Montreal and Boston? Maybe you're not going to a wedding so you have the entire week to watch.
If so? Just sneak out. Nobody will notice at the reception, anyways. Hockey comes before anything else, after all.
In case you don't know what's being referenced, it's the 4 Nations Face-Off and it's happening in place of the NHL All-Star Game this season. Four countries (the United States, Canada, Finland, and Sweden) will square off against each other for national bragging rights and supremacy.
It's the first time such an event happened. A round robin tournament in place of a traditional showcase of the NHL's best will bring excitement and electricity to the hockey masses.
That's why Hertl is staring at you. He's hoping you don't miss a big event like this, which has a unique format. You won't want to miss big names like Eichel, Auston Matthews, and Connor McDavid at this big event.
But what about when the NHL returns to its All-Star Game format? Who will host the next contest when it comes back in 2026? The answer(s) might surprise you, specifically since next season's locale just got built. Let's dive into where the next location (or two) will be for the spectacle.
Where the 2026 NHL All-Star Game will be held (and beyond?)
Next season's NHL All-Star Game will be held at the UBS Arena in Elmont, New York. If you don't know who has the home of UBS Arena, it's the New York Islanders. The venue is located near Belmont Park, which is well-known as a thoroughbred horse racing track. Who knows? You might see Gary Bettman as one of the jockeys in the Belmont Stakes one day.
What's the big deal with UBS Arena? Well, it was built in 2021 after an unsuccessful stint at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The Nassau Coliseum, the previous home of the Islanders, has been around since 1972. It was the official home of the team, where the Islanders won four Stanley Cups.
But what about the 2027 NHL All-Star Game, you ask? Well, there isn't a location for that yet, dear reader. However, there have been names floated as possibilities. That includes a promise Bettman made to the city of Seattle, who would eventually get the festivities. Will that come in 2027? Stay tuned.
In the meantime, enjoy the speculation of the future All-Star Games, whether it's in Washington D.C., or even Las Vegas. Everyone loves seeing the best players in the world play against each other in a star-studded event. This year features four different countries represented in a round-robin format. Next season? It's business as usual.