Hockey in Atlanta: What Teams You Can Actually Watch and Play With Today

If you live in Atlanta or you’re visiting and wondering “Is there a hockey team in Atlanta?”, the short answer is:

Atlanta does not currently have an NHL team, but it does have active professional minor-league hockey and a strong local hockey scene.

Below is a clear breakdown of what that means in practice—who plays here, where they play, and how you can watch or get involved.

Is There an NHL Team in Atlanta?

No. Atlanta does not currently have a National Hockey League (NHL) team.

Historically, Atlanta has had two NHL franchises:

• Atlanta Flames – Played in Atlanta from 1972 to 1980 before relocating to Calgary.
• Atlanta Thrashers – Played from 1999 to 2011 at what is now State Farm Arena before moving to Winnipeg.

Today, if you’re looking specifically for NHL hockey, you’ll need to follow teams on TV or travel to another city. However, that doesn’t mean Atlanta is a hockey desert—far from it.

What Professional Hockey Team Does Atlanta Have Now?

Atlanta Gladiators (ECHL)

The Atlanta Gladiators are the primary professional hockey presence in the metro area. They play in the ECHL, a well-known minor professional league that often serves as a development path for players aiming for the AHL or NHL.

• League: ECHL (a mid-level professional league)
• Home Arena: Gas South Arena
  6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth, GA 30097
• Typical Season: October through April (with potential playoffs)

While the Gladiators are not an NHL team, they offer fast, physical, and competitive professional hockey at a more affordable and family-friendly level.

Why locals like Gladiators games:

• Usually cheaper tickets than major league sports.
• Free parking or lower-cost parking compared with downtown arenas (check local info for current details).
• A family-oriented environment with promotions, theme nights, and on-ice entertainment.
• A chance to sit much closer to the action than you would at many major-league venues.

Quick Snapshot: Hockey Options in and Around Atlanta

Where Can You Watch Live Hockey in the Atlanta Area?

Even without an NHL club, you have several ways to watch live hockey.

1. ECHL: Atlanta Gladiators Games

As mentioned, the Gladiators are the most visible pro option. If you’re in or near Gwinnett County, Gas South Arena is straightforward to reach from I‑85 and serves much of the northeast metro area.

Tips for attending a game:

• Look for weekend games if you prefer bigger crowds and more in-game promotions.
• Check for family packs, group deals, or student nights, which are commonly offered.
• Many fans find parking, concessions, and merchandise more budget-friendly than in larger downtown venues.

2. College and Club Hockey

While Atlanta doesn’t have NCAA Division I ice hockey, you can still catch college club-level games in and near the city. These games are usually lower cost, more casual, and can be a fun way to see competitive hockey up close.

Two of the most notable programs in the region include:

• Georgia Tech Club Ice Hockey – Based in Midtown Atlanta, they play home games at local rinks in the metro area.
• University of Georgia Club Hockey – Located in Athens, about 70 miles from Atlanta; they frequently draw strong student and alumni crowds.

Schedules, venues, and ticket information can change, so it’s best to check each program’s current season details before heading out.

Is There Youth or Adult Hockey in Atlanta?

Yes. Atlanta has a growing youth and adult hockey community, supported by several ice rinks across the metro area.

Youth Hockey in Atlanta

If you’re a parent looking to introduce your child to hockey, the general path often looks like:

1. Learn to Skate Programs
   Most rinks offer basic skating classes for children as young as 3–5. Skills focus on balance, stopping, and turning.

2. Learn to Play Hockey
   After basic skating, kids can join beginner hockey programs that introduce sticks, pucks, and basic positioning.

3. House Leagues and Travel Teams
   As kids progress, they can join local in-house leagues or more competitive travel teams that play across the Southeast.

Common features of youth programs include:

• Required gear: helmet, pads, skates, stick, mouthguard.
• Seasonal sessions: often fall/winter, with spring or summer development clinics.
• Volunteer coaching: many programs are parent- and community-supported.

Adult Hockey Leagues and Pick-Up Games

Adults in Atlanta have options ranging from beginner-friendly leagues to advanced recreational play:

• Adult beginner programs for those who didn’t grow up with hockey.
• Draft or house leagues organized by skill level.
• Drop-in / pick-up games where players split into teams on arrival.

These are typically managed by local rinks, which set league schedules, fees, and rules.

Where Are the Ice Rinks in the Atlanta Area?

While specific programming can change, these are some of the core ice facilities that support hockey in and around Atlanta. They are well-established and commonly used for youth, adult, and sometimes college or special-event games.

Center Ice Arena – Sandy Springs

• Address: 5750 Roswell Rd, Sandy Springs, GA 30342
• Focus: Public skating, youth hockey, adult leagues, figure skating.
• Convenient for: Intown Atlanta residents and those in north-central neighborhoods (Buckhead, Sandy Springs, Brookhaven).

Atlanta IceForum – Duluth

• Address: 2300 Satellite Blvd, Duluth, GA 30097
• Focus: Youth hockey, adult leagues, tournaments, and public skating.
• Convenient for: Gwinnett County and northeast metro residents.

The Cooler – Alpharetta

• Address: 10800 Davis Dr, Alpharetta, GA 30009
• Focus: Youth and adult hockey leagues, learn-to-play programs, figure skating.
• Convenient for: North Fulton, Alpharetta, Roswell, Milton, and nearby suburbs.

Other Metro Options

In addition to the rinks above, nearby facilities in the greater metro and surrounding areas may offer:

• Seasonal programs
• Camps and clinics
• Special events or tournaments

Since facility schedules can shift, it’s wise to call ahead or check current programming before visiting.

How to Get Started If You’re New to Hockey in Atlanta

If you’re new to the sport—whether you want to play or you have a child who’s interested—Atlanta’s setup makes it fairly straightforward to ease in.

For Adults

1. Start with public skating
   Get comfortable just being on the ice. Most rinks have open skate times throughout the week.

2. Join a “Learn to Play” or adult beginner clinic
   These programs focus on basics like forward and backward skating, crossovers, and simple puck handling.

3. Move into an adult league
   Once you can skate comfortably and understand the rules, you can enter a novice-level league. Skill-based divisions help match you with players at a similar level.

For Kids

1. Sign up for Learn to Skate
   This gives your child fundamental skills and helps them gain confidence on the ice.

2. Transition to youth hockey programs
   Ask the rink’s front desk or program director about their intro to hockey or development classes.

3. Consider house league or travel
   As your child advances, they may want a regular team experience. House leagues are more local and lower-commitment; travel hockey involves more games and regional trips.

If You Just Want to Watch Hockey in Atlanta

If playing isn’t your goal and you simply want to enjoy the sport as a fan, here are your main options:

• Attend Atlanta Gladiators games at Gas South Arena for live professional action.
• Catch club college games (like Georgia Tech) for a smaller-venue, local feel.
• Watch NHL games on TV or streaming at home or at sports bars around the city; many Midtown, Buckhead, and suburban spots regularly show national hockey broadcasts.
• Look out for special events such as exhibitions, charity games, or youth tournaments at local rinks—these can be surprisingly intense and fun to watch.

Key Takeaways for Hockey Fans in Atlanta

• No current NHL team in Atlanta.
• Yes, there is professional hockey: the Atlanta Gladiators (ECHL) based in Duluth.
• Strong local scene with youth and adult leagues across multiple rinks.
• Multiple ice arenas support hockey programs, public skating, and development.
• Whether you want to watch, learn, or play, you can do it in the Atlanta area with a bit of planning.

If you’re in Atlanta and love hockey, you won’t find an NHL team in town right now—but you will find plenty of ice, plenty of players, and a community that keeps the sport very much alive.