This East Coast city was just ranked the best for hockey fans

With the Stanley Cup Finals heating up and hockey fever sweeping the nation, a new study has revealed which U.S. city stands out as the ultimate destination for hockey fans, and surprisingly, it’s not one of the cities currently competing in the finals.

WalletHub analyzed 76 U.S. cities using 21 key indicators that make a city ideal for hockey enthusiasts. These factors ranged from ticket affordability, stadium capacity, and team performance to fan engagement and local support for the sport. The results crowned Boston, Massachusetts, as the best city for hockey fans in America.

Boston is home to the legendary Boston Bruins, who hold the record for the most regular-season wins in NHL history. The Bruins have also claimed six Stanley Cups and 20 division titles, making them one of the most successful franchises in the league. Beyond the impressive stats, Boston’s fans are renowned for their deep loyalty and passion.

Coming in second place is Detroit, home of the NHL’s Detroit Red Wings. The Red Wings have won 11 Stanley Cups (the most of any NHL team) and 16 division titles. Detroit’s hockey culture is strong, supported by one of the league’s most valuable teams, worth around $2.1 billion, and a highly engaged fanbase both in arenas and on social media.

Rounding out the top three is Pittsburgh, where the Penguins boast the most engaged social media following in the NHL and enjoy a highly positive reputation among fans nationwide.

“Hockey is one of the most underappreciated sports in America,” says WalletHub Analyst Chip Lupo. “But its popularity is steadily growing, bringing in record-breaking revenue and attendance. The best cities for hockey provide good opportunities to watch high-performing NHL teams in person, and sometimes NCAA teams as well. They also have some of the most dedicated fans in the country.”

The top 20 U.S. cities for hockey fans

1. Boston, Massachusetts
2. Detroit, Michigan
3. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
4. New York, New York
5. Newark, New Jersey
6. Denver, Colorado
7. Sunrise, Florida
8. Tampa, Florida
9. Buffalo, New York
10. St. Louis, Missouri
11. Raleigh, North Carolina
12. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 
13. St. Paul, Minnesota
14. Anaheim, California
15. Chicago, Illinois
16. Washington, DC
17. Dallas, Texas
18. Los Angeles, California
19. San Jose, California
20. Columbus, Ohio