The question of which state holds the title for most popular hockey is complex, as the answer shifts depending on how popularity is defined. It is not determined by a single metric like climate, professional success, or youth participation. The true picture of hockey’s popularity in the United States requires examining three distinct areas: the depth of amateur engagement, the presence of professional franchises, and the sheer volume of the fan base. Understanding these measures allows for a more nuanced determination of hockey’s footprint.
Measuring Hockey’s Footprint
Defining hockey’s popularity requires specific, measurable data points that reflect different levels of engagement. The first measure is amateur participation, quantified through USA Hockey registration numbers, particularly on a per-capita basis. This metric reveals the cultural saturation of the sport at a grassroots level.
A second measure involves the density of professional team presence, defined by the number of National Hockey League franchises within a state’s borders. States with multiple teams often represent significant media markets and demonstrate the league’s strategic expansion efforts. The final metric is fan base density, inferred from local television market ratings and arena attendance figures. This provides insight into the commercial and viewership impact of the sport.
The Heart of Amateur Hockey: Participation and Culture
The most definitive cultural answer to hockey’s popularity lies in Minnesota, widely recognized as the “State of Hockey.” This identity is founded on the state’s deep tradition of community-based hockey, which began in the late 1800s. This history has cultivated a pervasive infrastructure, giving Minnesota the highest absolute number of ice rinks in the country, totaling over 190 facilities.
This high density of facilities supports an unparalleled level of amateur engagement. Minnesota consistently leads the nation in USA Hockey registration, totaling over 59,400 players in the 2024-25 season. The state’s rate of participation, particularly among youth, is exponentially higher than in larger, more populous states.
The high school hockey tournament is a cultural phenomenon, drawing tens of thousands of spectators and millions of television viewers annually. The community-driven model prioritizes local teams, meaning top young players often remain with their hometown high schools instead of joining distant club programs. This structure reinforces local pride and ensures that hockey remains an integral part of community life. While other traditional hockey states like Massachusetts and Michigan possess strong participation numbers, neither matches Minnesota’s cultural depth or its saturation of youth involvement relative to its population.
Professional Teams and Fan Base Density
When popularity is measured by professional market size and the presence of NHL franchises, the focus shifts to states with large metropolitan centers. California and New York host the most NHL teams, with three franchises each. New York is home to the Rangers, Islanders, and Sabres, while California hosts the Kings, Ducks, and Sharks.
The concentration of teams reflects the league’s strategy to target massive television markets for broadcast revenue and visibility. Florida and Pennsylvania follow closely, with two teams each, demonstrating a clustering of professional presence in high-population areas. This expansion into warmer climates, often referred to as the Sun Belt, has been a significant factor in the sport’s growth.
States like Texas, Florida, and Nevada have leveraged NHL success to generate substantial growth in fan bases and amateur registration. For instance, Florida saw a 144.5% increase and Texas a 147.2% increase in total players between 2005-06 and the 2024-25 season. The arrival of NHL teams acts as a powerful marketing tool, converting new fans and driving up local viewership. The sheer volume of the fan base in large-market states provides a commercially driven definition of hockey popularity.