Salt Lake City’s Businesses Brace for Economic Boost with NHL Team Announcement

The recent NHL announcement in Salt Lake City on April 18, 2024 brought excitement to the downtown area. With the news of a new team coming to town, businesses in the central business district are looking forward to increased foot traffic and profits. Dee Brewer, the Executive Director of the Salt Lake City Downtown Alliance, expressed anticipation for more entertainment options to draw customers downtown.

The addition of hockey games will mean an extra 41 nights of entertainment in the downtown area. Brewer estimated that this could result in 500,000 to 600,000 new customer visits next year. The Delta Center, where the NHL team will play, plays a crucial role in the downtown economy, as it hosted a majority of the top visitation days downtown last year.

Brewer highlighted that the Delta Center is not only important for professional sports, but also for concerts, shows, and other forms of entertainment. The arrival of the NHL team is expected to bring in new fans who may not overlap with existing supporters of the Utah Jazz basketball team. This presents an opportunity for businesses to attract a different demographic.

In addition to businesses benefiting from the increase in visitors, Brewer mentioned that the hospitality sector, including hotels, bars, and restaurants, is also likely to see growth. The NHL team’s arrival is predicted to stimulate economic activity in the downtown area, creating opportunities for various businesses to thrive.

Overall, this news brings hope and excitement for businesses and residents alike as they look forward to increased foot traffic and economic growth in Salt Lake City’s downtown area.