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Northwest Arkansas Is Growing Up — But Are We Missing the Puck?

Hockey in Northwest Arkansas? Why Not? Northwest Arkansas has long been one of the fastest growing and most dynamic regions in the country. Over the last two decades, our corner of the Ozarks has transformed from a cluster of small towns into a thriving metropolitan area with world-class amenities. We’ve built beautiful communities, attracted top-tier businesses, developed incredible arts and entertainment options, and are increasingly being recognized on a national stage.At this point, many of us are starting to feel that Northwest Arkansas has just about everything you’d expect from a metro of our size.Except for one thing: professional hockey.Surprisingly, Northwest Arkansas is now one of the largest metropolitan areas in the United States without a professional hockey team at any level — minor league, major league, or otherwise. And as the region continues to grow, the absence of hockey is becoming one of the most obvious gaps in our rapidly developing sports scene.A Brief History of Hockey Aspirations in NWAThe dream of bringing professional hockey to Northwest Arkansas is not new. In the mid-to-late 2000s, serious discussions emerged around building a multi-purpose sports arena in Rogers that could have potentially hosted a minor league hockey team. The proposed Northwest Arkansas Sports and Entertainment Arena would have seated roughly 9,000 people and been equipped to handle not just concerts and events, but ice hockey as well.At the time, hockey boosters hoped that this arena could anchor a future minor league franchise — whether in the ECHL (East Coast Hockey League), SPHL (Southern Professional Hockey League), or possibly even serve as a developmental hub for an NHL organization. Unfortunately, despite early excitement, the project ultimately stalled and was never built.Since then, no serious new proposals for an arena large enough to host a professional hockey team have advanced to public consideration. What We Have TodayThat doesn’t mean there isn’t hockey in Northwest Arkansas. Far from it.The Jones Center in Springdale remains the heart of ice sports in the region. The facility boasts a single sheet of ice that serves as home to the Northwest Arkansas Hockey Association (NWAHA) youth programs as well as the University of Arkansas Razorbacks Hockey Club, which competes at the collegiate club level.The Jones Center does a phenomenal job supporting recreational hockey, youth development, and even drawing decent crowds for Arkansas Razorbacks home games. But at roughly 1,000 seats, it lacks the scale, infrastructure, and amenities required to support a professional minor league hockey team.Why Now Might Be the Right TimeNorthwest Arkansas today looks very different than it did back when the arena discussions first surfaced. The region’s population has grown rapidly, buoyed by companies like Walmart, Tyson Foods, J.B. Hunt, and the countless other businesses that make NWA one of the nation’s strongest regional economies.We’ve become a legitimate destination for major arts, concerts, and cultural events. We’ve built a modern airport, invested in our downtowns, and developed a growing regional identity. Simply put — we’ve grown up.And with that growth comes new entertainment demand. Minor league hockey thrives in mid-sized cities just like ours — places like Tulsa, Wichita, Kansas City, and Greenville have all successfully built thriving minor league hockey franchises that serve as affordable, family-friendly entertainment options that complement their communities.Given the size of our metro — and the lack of direct competition from other pro sports — many believe Northwest Arkansas is exactly the kind of market where a professional hockey team could thrive.What Would It Take?The biggest obstacle remains simple: facilities.Currently, Northwest Arkansas lacks an arena that could accommodate a professional hockey franchise. To support a minor league team, any future facility would need:Seating capacity between 5,000–7,000Full professional ice-making equipmentLocker rooms, training facilities, and player accommodationsConcessions, luxury suites, and fan amenitiesCommunity meeting space to support multi-use functionsBuilding such an arena would require significant public/private investment. However, as other mid-sized markets have shown, with the right partnership models — and growing public interest — these kinds of projects can absolutely succeed.The Case for Hockey in NWAThe timing might be better than ever. Northwest Arkansas is big enough, wealthy enough, and sports-hungry enough to support a team. Our corporate community is well-positioned to sponsor and partner with a minor league franchise. The regional interest in youth and collegiate hockey is already strong and growing.As one of the few remaining major metro areas without professional hockey, Northwest Arkansas has both a unique void to fill — and an exciting opportunity to create something that would add even more to our thriving community.The question now isn’t “Why hockey?” It’s “Why not hockey — and why not now?”