Will the Arizona Coyotes return to the NHL or lose their expansion slot to Atlanta?

Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

PHOENIX – The dream of bringing the Arizona Coyotes back to the NHL is entering a critical stage, and the competition may be getting tougher as traction in Atlanta could put a halt to Arizona’s progress.

What are the chances the Arizona Coyotes return to the NHL?

Maricopa County Supervisor Thomas Galvin has been working with Andrea Doan, the wife of Coyotes legend Shane Doan, to bring professional hockey back to the Valley. Galvin has emphasized that he is approaching the project not only as a public official, but as a fan. “When it comes down to it, I’m a fan too,” Galvin said. That passion matters, but passion alone will not win an NHL franchise. The league has made clear that expansion comes down to the fundamentals: ownership, market strength and a legitimate arena plan. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said Houston and Austin were further along in June, while Arizona and Atlanta remained on a different track.

BREAKING: In an email released to a nearby community, the development team behind The Gathering at South Forsyth revealed they have secured financing for an NHL team and submitted a final packet for approval.

Developers also revealed that the first phase of construction is… pic.twitter.com/EwuXanhrOA

— NHL to Atlanta (@NHLtoAtlanta) September 4, 2026

Now Atlanta appears to have made a significant move. The Gathering at South Forsyth says its development team has secured financing and submitted a final packet to the NHL. That still must be vetted by the league, meaning Atlanta has not won anything yet. Arizona, meanwhile, may be operating more quietly. Recent information provided by AZ Hockey Insider Craig Morgan indicates Phoenix groups remain engaged with the NHL, even if details surrounding financing have not been made public. That creates the most important question for Coyotes fans: Is Arizona losing the race, or simply playing it differently?

I noted in recent stories and on the @PHNX_Hockey show that, per a source, the Forsyth Group was close to securing the funding so this is no surprise.
This still must be vetted by the league, of course.
Further, as I previously noted, a Phoenix group also believes it has secured… https://t.co/W6fEGnnRzs

— Craig Morgan (@CraigSMorgan) September 4, 2026

That uncertainty is exactly what makes the next few months so important. Arizona has already learned the hard way that having passionate fans is not enough. The previous Coyotes era ended after years of arena and ownership problems, with the franchise ultimately relocating to Utah in 2024. This time, the league will want proof that the foundation is different. For Arizona fans, the hope remains alive. But Atlanta’s latest development is a reminder that hope needs a business plan behind it.
The Coyotes may still be coming back; they just have to win the race first.

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Reporter Benjamin Bliklen covers the Arizona Diamondbacks, Arizona Cardinals, and Phoenix Suns for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @BenBliklen