NHL to Hold 2024 NHL Draft at Sphere in Las Vegas
The event (June 28-29) will be the first televised live event from Sphere
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The 2024 Upper Deck NHL Draft will be held at Sphere in Las Vegas on Friday, June 28 and Saturday, June 29, the National Hockey League and Sphere jointly announced today, marking the first time the event will be held in Las Vegas. Additionally, it will be the first event ever televised live from Sphere.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman made the official announcement during Tuesday night’s broadcast of the 2024 NHL Draft Lottery.
“The NHL is proud to bring the first sports event and the first live television broadcast to Sphere,” says Steve Mayer, NHL Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Content Officer. “Together with the amazing team at Sphere, we plan to deliver an NHL Draft like no other, introducing the bright future of hockey in an innovative and exhilarating setting.”
“Sphere continues to establish itself as a premier destination for some of the most highly anticipated events in sports and entertainment,” says Joel Fisher, Executive Vice President, Marquee Events and Operations for MSG Entertainment, who oversees marquee events for Sphere. “We’re pleased to welcome the NHL Draft, and look forward to showcasing Sphere’s next-generation capabilities both in person and around the world via the first live television broadcast from the venue.”
“Hosting the 2024 NHL Draft at Sphere perfectly captures Las Vegas’ evolution as the Sports and Entertainment Capital of the World,” says Steve Hill, president and CEO of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. “Las Vegas has been a hockey town since the puck dropped at the first Golden Knights game in 2017. As the reigning Stanley Cup Champions, we couldn’t be more thrilled that the NHL chose Las Vegas and this truly innovative venue to welcome its next generation of players.”
The 2024 Upper Deck NHL Draft will take place over two days: Friday, June 28 (Round 1, televised on ESPN, ESPN+, Sportsnet and TVA Sports, starting at 4 p.m. PT) and Saturday, June 29 (Rounds 2-7, televised on ESPN+, NHL Network, Sportsnet and SN1, starting at 8:30 a.m. PT). NHL club executives, scouts and coaches will be present on the NHL Draft floor, while thousands of fans and hundreds of print, television and radio media are expected to attend.
Since opening in Las Vegas in September 2023, Sphere has become renowned for its captivating visuals and immersive live experiences. The exterior of Sphere – the Exosphere – is the largest LED screen on Earth and has become a landmark on the Las Vegas skyline. Inside, the venue is powered by cutting-edge technologies that ignite the senses and enable audiences to share experiences at a never-before-seen scale. This includes Sphere’s 160,000 sq. ft. LED screen, which wraps up, over and around the audience, creating a fully immersive visual environment.
