The Delta Center ice will be hosting Ryan Smith, co-founder and chairman of Smith Entertainment Group, Ashley Smith, co-founder of Smith Entertainment Group, and NHL commissioner Gary Bettman to announce the arrival of the NHL in Utah on Friday, April 18, 2024. Salt Lake City is abuzz with the news of a new National Hockey League team coming to town, and it is expected to have a positive impact on the downtown economy.
Dee Brewer, the Executive Director of Salt Lake City Downtown Alliance, expressed excitement about the new entertainment opportunities that the NHL team will bring to the central business district. Brewer mentioned that businesses are thrilled about the possibility of having more customers frequenting their establishments on game nights. The addition of hockey to Salt Lake City means an increase in entertainment options and could potentially bring in 500,000 to 600,000 customer days or visits downtown next year.
Brewer emphasized the significance of the Delta Center to the downtown economy by pointing out that a large percentage of the top visitation days downtown last year were associated with events at the arena. He mentioned that professional sports events, concerts, shows, and other forms of entertainment play a crucial role in driving business downtown. While the NHL may attract a different fanbase than the NBA’s Utah Jazz, there is optimism about the possibility of attracting a new influx of customers.
In addition to benefiting existing businesses, the NHL team’s arrival is expected to attract hospitality businesses to the area, such as hotels, bars, and restaurants. Brewer highlighted the potential economic impact of the NHL team on downtown Salt Lake City and expressed anticipation about the positive changes it could bring to the local economy.