Why hasn’t Detroit hosted an NHL All-Star Game since 1980?
I was surprised to learn that the last time Detroit hosted an NHL All-Star Game was 1980 at Joe Louis Arena. Since then, we’ve seen All-Star Games in markets all over the league, including several newer and non-traditional hockey cities, while Hockeytown has gone more than four decades without one.
At first, I assumed Joe Louis Arena being outdated was the reason, but Little Caesars Arena has now been open for nearly a decade. Detroit’s downtown has seen significant investment, the riverfront is thriving, the city successfully hosts major sporting events, and the Wings are finally trending back toward relevance.
I’ve heard theories ranging from the NHL wanting District Detroit to be more fully developed, to the league preferring to use All-Star Weekends to grow the game in newer markets rather than rewarding established hockey cities like Detroit. Others have suggested Detroit simply isn’t viewed as a tourism destination on the same level as cities like Vegas, Nashville, or Miami.
So what’s the real reason? Is Detroit genuinely being overlooked, or is there something behind the scenes that makes us a less attractive host city than fans realize?
Curious to hear everyone’s thoughts because, as a Wings fan, it feels like Hockeytown is long overdue. 🐙🏒🚨