Rumor: 2021 NHL Season Games Will Be Played Outdoors

COVID-19 has not only disrupted our day-to-day lives, but it has upended professional sports as a whole. The NHL has done a phenomenal job with maintaining a safe environment for players to compete for the Stanley Cup. However, the bubble life is said to be unsustainable for a lengthy period of time. Instead, the NHL is reportedly planning the entire 2020-2021 season to be played outdoors to accommodate fans and COVID-19 restrictions.

The NHL and NHLPA are exploring all options to play the 2020-21 season and maintain their revenue streams. The season is likely to begin in mid January to early February, but the proper approach to return to play has not yet been agreed upon.

There were rumors that the NHL would host 6-8 hub cities for the regular season, but players have leaked that the bubble life is lonely and poses a significant strain on their mental health. Instead, the league is likely to return to play in outdoor venues that facilitate fans and social distancing.

Elliotte Friedman has stated that the Jacksonville Jaguars of the NFL and many Premier League teams have hosted games that facilitate fans and do not have a bubble environment. He suggests that the NHL follow the same model as they continue to explore options for continuing play next season.

Photographer: Julian Avram/Icon Sportswire