NHL in Atlanta: What Hockey Fans Need to Know Today

If you search for “NHL Atlanta”, you’re probably wondering one of three things:

1. Did Atlanta ever have an NHL team?
2. Why did the NHL leave Atlanta—twice?
3. Is there any chance the NHL will come back to Atlanta, and what hockey options exist here now?

This guide walks through the history of NHL hockey in Atlanta, what the current landscape looks like, and how you can still enjoy high-level hockey in and around Atlanta, Georgia today.

A Quick Overview: Atlanta and the NHL

Atlanta is unique in NHL history because it has hosted two different NHL franchises:

• Atlanta Flames (1972–1980)
• Atlanta Thrashers (1999–2011)

Both teams eventually relocated to Canada, leaving Atlanta without an NHL franchise. However, the city still has an active hockey community, and the possibility of the NHL returning is a recurring topic.

The Atlanta Flames: Atlanta’s First NHL Team

How the Flames Came to Atlanta

The Atlanta Flames were the city’s first NHL team, starting play in 1972 during the league’s expansion era. They played at:

• The Omni Coliseum
  Downtown Atlanta (where State Farm Arena now stands)

The team name “Flames” referenced the burning of Atlanta during the Civil War, a bit of local historical symbolism.

Why the Flames Left

After eight seasons, the Flames moved to Calgary, Alberta in 1980. Several factors are commonly cited in discussions of the move:

• Financial challenges and ownership concerns
• Attendance and revenue issues
• Competition with more established sports in Atlanta, especially college football, the Atlanta Braves, and the Atlanta Falcons

While there was a core group of dedicated hockey fans, the NHL product struggled to become a top-tier draw in the broader Atlanta market at that time.

The Atlanta Thrashers: The NHL Returns (and Leaves Again)

Birth of the Thrashers

The league returned to Atlanta in 1999 with the Atlanta Thrashers, who played at:

• Philips Arena (now State Farm Arena)
  1 State Farm Drive, Atlanta, GA 30303

The name “Thrashers” came from the Brown Thrasher, Georgia’s state bird. The team was owned in connection with the same ownership group behind the Atlanta Hawks and Philips Arena.

The Thrashers Era in Atlanta

For Atlanta residents, the Thrashers era is still recent enough that many remember:

• Star players like Ilya Kovalchuk, Marian Hossa, and Dany Heatley
• The team’s 2006–07 playoff appearance (the only one in franchise history)
• Game nights downtown that brought a different kind of energy compared to basketball or concerts

Despite this, the Thrashers struggled with:

• Inconsistent on-ice performance
• Ownership and internal management issues
• Challenges building a large, stable season-ticket base in a crowded sports market

Relocation to Winnipeg

In 2011, the Thrashers were sold and moved to Winnipeg, Manitoba, where they became the current Winnipeg Jets.

For Atlanta fans, this meant the city lost an NHL team for a second time. Many local fans still follow the Jets or their favorite former Thrashers players, and “NHL Atlanta” remains a nostalgic phrase.

Does Atlanta Have an NHL Team Now?

No. As of today, there is no NHL team in Atlanta.

If you live in or visit Atlanta and want to follow the NHL, you’ll be watching:

• Out-of-market teams on TV or streaming
• Visiting NHL teams when they play in nearby cities with franchises (such as Nashville or Raleigh)

However, that doesn’t mean hockey is dead in Atlanta. Far from it.

Will the NHL Ever Return to Atlanta?

Why People Still Talk About NHL Atlanta

Atlanta is:

• One of the largest media markets in the U.S.
• A major transportation hub (Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport)
• Home to a growing population, including many residents from traditional hockey regions (the Northeast, Midwest, and Canada)

Because of this, conversations about NHL expansion or relocation often mention Atlanta as a potential candidate, even after two relocations.

What Would Need to Happen

While decisions are up to the NHL and potential owners, discussions often focus on a few practical points:

• A strong, stable ownership group with a long-term vision
• A suitable arena, ideally designed or configured to support hockey sightlines and revenue (suites, concessions, etc.)
• A committed fan strategy, tapping into both long-time Atlantans and transplants from hockey-heavy regions

Local hockey enthusiasts sometimes mention Gwinnett County, Cobb County, or the metro suburbs as potential places for a future NHL arena, due to population growth and access.

There is no official NHL team on the way as of now, but the topic continues to surface in sports media and fan discussions.

Your Options for Live Hockey in and Around Atlanta

Even without an NHL team, Atlanta has several ways to enjoy live hockey, from professional minor leagues to college and youth hockey.

Atlanta Gladiators (ECHL)

The Atlanta Gladiators are the metro area’s primary professional team, playing in the ECHL, a mid-level professional league that often feeds into higher levels.

• Home arena: Gas South Arena
  6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth, GA 30097
• Approx. distance from downtown Atlanta: About 25–30 miles northeast (depending on your starting point and traffic)

The Gladiators provide:

• Affordable tickets compared to big-league prices
• Family-friendly game nights
• A chance to see players who may move up within professional hockey ranks

For many local fans, the Gladiators fill the live-hockey void left by the NHL.

College and Club Hockey in Metro Atlanta

Atlanta is not a traditional college-hockey hotbed, but there are club and non-varsity college teams that compete regionally. Common features:

• Games played at local rinks around the metro area
• Lower ticket prices or free admission
• A closer, more intimate game experience

When searching locally, look for “college club hockey Atlanta” or search by school names along with “hockey” to find schedules and home rinks.

Youth and Amateur Hockey

Families who want to play hockey rather than just watch will find a surprisingly active scene in the metro area.

Common rinks that support youth and adult leagues include (names for orientation purposes):

• Rinks in Duluth, Kennesaw, Marietta, and other metro communities
• Facilities that host learn-to-skate, learn-to-play-hockey programs, youth travel teams, and adult recreational leagues

If you’re new to the area or the sport, a practical approach is:

1. Search for “ice rink” or “hockey rink near me” from your location in Atlanta.
2. Check each rink’s website or call for details on:
   • Youth programs
   • Adult leagues
   • Public skating and pickup hockey sessions

Where Can You Watch NHL Games in Atlanta?

Even without a local franchise, Atlantans follow the NHL in several ways:

1. TV and Streaming at Home

Most fans in Atlanta follow:

• National NHL broadcasts
• Out-of-market packages or streaming services that carry full-season coverage
• Playoffs and major events like the Stanley Cup Final and NHL All-Star Game

If you’re new to NHL viewing, you might pick a “home” team based on:

• Where you or your family are from
• A favorite former Atlanta player
• A city whose style or culture you like

2. Sports Bars and Restaurants

Many sports bars and grills across the Atlanta area show NHL games, especially during the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

To find a good spot:

• Look for bars known for multiple TVs and all-sports coverage
• Call ahead and ask if they can put on a specific NHL game
• In areas with more transplants (like Midtown, Buckhead, and some suburban hubs), you’re more likely to find a group of fans from the same NHL city

Some Atlanta-based fan groups of northern or Canadian teams sometimes organize watch parties; searching your team’s name plus “Atlanta fan group” is a good starting move.

NHL Atlanta: Key Facts at a Glance

Here’s a quick reference for the history of NHL teams in Atlanta:

Tips for Hockey Fans Living in or Visiting Atlanta

If you’re a hockey fan in Atlanta today, here are practical ways to stay connected to the sport:

• Catch a Gladiators game in Duluth for live pro action at approachable prices.
• Follow your favorite NHL team via TV/streaming; consider playoff bars and watch parties.
• Explore local rinks if you or your kids want to learn to play—there are multiple options across the metro area.
• Stay tuned to sports news for any developments about future NHL expansion or relocation discussions involving Atlanta.

How “NHL Atlanta” Matters Today

While Atlanta does not currently host an NHL franchise, the phrase “NHL Atlanta” carries a lot of meaning:

• A history of two former NHL teams (Flames and Thrashers)
• A large, diverse, and growing city that remains a viable candidate in many expansion conversations
• A dedicated local hockey community, from youth programs to the Atlanta Gladiators

If you’re in Atlanta and love hockey, you won’t find NHL games at State Farm Arena right now—but you will find:

• A way to watch the league from afar
• A place to watch or play live hockey locally
• A city where the conversation about bringing the NHL back never fully goes away