Isles GM Mathieu Darche happy fans get NHL All-Star Game at UBS Arena
UBS Arena during an Islanders game in the 2023-24 season. Credit: Jim McIsaac
Mathieu Darche called it “unfortunate” the NHL has scrapped plans to hold an Olympic send-off event at UBS Arena in February. But the Islanders general manager believes Long Island hockey fans will still ultimately benefit with the building now slated to host the league’s All-Star Game and skills competition Feb. 5-7, 2027.
“It’s almost better to have the All-Star Game in 2027 than just a send-off with some events,” Darche said on Wednesday. “At least there will be some hockey. It’s unfortunate but that’s more on the marketing side than on my side. I’m happy for our fans here at UBS Arena we will still have it the year after.”
The news, which first leaked on Tuesday night, was made official on Wednesday.
The NHL first announced in 2024 that UBS Arena, which opened in 2021, would host the 2026 All-Star Weekend in February, shortly before the start of the Winter Olympics in Italy. But NHL commissioner Gary Bettman announced in April the league’s decision to change this season’s event to an Olympic send-off, which was never clearly defined.
In May, Gov. Kathy Hochul sent an open letter to Bettman expressing her disappointment in the decision.
“I’m pleased the NHL is following through by bringing the 2027 All-Star Weekend to the home of the Islanders,” Hochul said in a statement released on Wednesday. “This is a win for fans, for our economy, and for the strong public-private partnership that helped make UBS Arena a reality.”
Darche also was asked whether Islanders’ ownership would bid to have UBS Arena host some of the World Cup of Hockey games planned for 2028.
“That’s definitely not my portfolio,” Darche said. “I hope we do. Honestly, it’s one of the best buildings in the NHL. But I haven’t talked with ownership or marketing.”
Andrew Gross joined Newsday in 2018 to cover the Islanders. He began reporting on the NHL in 2003 and has previously covered the Rangers and Devils. Other assignments have included the Jets, St. John’s and MLB.
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