NHL Draft 2024 to Be Held at Las Vegas Sphere on June 28-29; Sharks Land No. 1 Pick

Adam WellsMay 7, 2024

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - APRIL 19: Coyotes Chairman and Governor Alex Meruelo speaks during a press conference at Hyatt Regency Phoenix on April 19, 2024 in Phoenix, Arizona. The NHL unanimously approved a $1.2 billion sale from Alex Meruelo to Utah Jazz owners Ryan and Ashley Smith, allowing the franchise's move to Salt Lake City to begin play as a new franchise next season. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

The 2024 NHL draft is heading to the Sphere in Las Vegas on June 28 and 29.

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman announced the site of the draft during Tuesday's lottery.

NHL @NHL
The 2024 Upper Deck <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NHLDraft?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NHLDraft</a> will be on the BIGGEST stage- <a href="https://twitter.com/SphereVegas?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SphereVegas</a> <a href="https://t.co/Nuvkdt2OEf">pic.twitter.com/Nuvkdt2OEf</a>

After the announcement of where the draft would take place, the San Jose Sharks were revealed as the winner of the lottery to earn the No. 1 overall pick.

San Jose Sharks @SanJoseSharks
SCREAMING, CRYING, THROWING UP. <a href="https://t.co/jM2cHGRGD3">pic.twitter.com/jM2cHGRGD3</a>

Since opening in 2023, the Sphere has primarily been a concert venue. U2 played 40 shows from September through March as part of its Vegas residency. Phish played four shows at the arena from April 18 to 21.

Dead & Company is playing 24 shows at the Sphere between May 16 to July 13.

UFC president Dana White announced in November that the company had booked Mexican Independence Day in 2024 for an event. The show is scheduled to take place on Sept. 14.

Barring a last-minute addition to the Sphere's schedule, the NHL draft will be the first sporting event at the arena.

"The NHL is proud to bring the first sports event and the first live television broadcast to Sphere," said Steve Mayer, NHL Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Content Officer, in the league's official release. "Together with the amazing team at Sphere, we plan to deliver an NHL Draft like no other, introducing the bright future of hockey in an innovative and exhilarating setting."

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Fans will be able to purchase tickets to attend the draft at the Sphere starting on Thursday at 1 p.m. ET.

The Sphere can hold up to 20,000 fans including standing-room for events. This will mark the first time the NHL draft has been held in Las Vegas.

San Jose's victory in the lottery will allow the franchise to select prized prospect Macklin Celebrini. The Boston University standout is widely regarded as the No. 1 player in this class after becoming the youngest player to win the Hobey Baker Award at 17 years old.

This marks the first time the Sharks have won the top pick in the draft since the lottery system was implemented in 1995. They had the best odds for the No. 1 pick after finishing with an NHL-low 47 points this season.

The Sharks have missed the playoffs in each of the past five seasons after reaching the Western Conference Finals in the 2018-19 season.