A new WalletHub study has positioned several New York cities within the upper echelon of U.S. markets for hockey enthusiasts, evaluating factors such as team performance, stadium capacity, and fan interaction. New York City, Buffalo, Lewiston and Hamilton appear among the top-tier locations, each showcasing distinct advantages in NHL and NCAA hockey ecosystems.
While New York City secures the fourth spot with an overall score of 51.48, its stadium capacity ranks as the lowest among the surveyed cities, reflecting a compact but intensely engaged fan base. Buffalo follows at twelfth place with a score of 40.07, noted for offering the second‑lowest average NHL ticket price and the fifth‑highest fan engagement metrics.
Lewiston climbs to twenty‑fifth place, buoyed by the highest college hockey stadium capacity shared with Durham, New Hampshire, while Hamilton claims the top spot for college hockey fan engagement, tying with three other municipalities. These nuances illustrate how capacity, pricing and community involvement intertwine to shape each city’s hockey identity.
Broader Market Trends
The research coincides with a historic surge in professional hockey economics, as the NHL is projected to reach a record $6.8 billion in revenue this season. Attendance figures and television ratings are also breaking previous highs, signaling a widening appetite for the sport across North America.
WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo, who contributed to the study, emphasizes that hockey’s growing popularity is translating into tangible financial gains and heightened visibility, a development that bodes well for both established franchises and emerging markets.
The analysis encompassed 75 U.S. cities, drawing on 21 distinct indicators to rank communities based on fan engagement, infrastructure and economic impact. The resulting picture reveals a diverse landscape where metropolitan hubs, mid‑size cities and college towns each contribute uniquely to the sport’s expanding footprint.