The NHL's potential return to the Atlanta area might be one step closer after a key vote this week.
Alpharetta City Council voted 4-3 to approve zoning changes for a mall that now could include an NHL-sized arena, per FOX 5.
The NHL has not awarded an expansion team to Atlanta and there is no guarantee the arena will be built, but this vote opens the door to more discussions.
The Alpharetta plan calls for a 20,000-seat arena, a smaller music hall, offices and a hotel.
Alpharetta is one of two Atlanta-area destinations exploring the possibility of attracting an NHL team.
Forsyth County has also expressed interest in building an arena for an NHL team and held a successful vote in 2024 to open the door for a new arena.
Alpharetta and Forsyth County are both located just north of Atlanta.
The NHL has said it is eyeing Houston or Austin, Texas, for its next expansion team. Atlanta is the only other top-10 U.S. television market without a team.
The Atlanta Thrashers played in the NHL from 1999 to 2011 before moving to Winnipeg.
The Atlanta Flames played from 1972 to 1980 before going north to Calgary.
