The Calgary Flames may be headed for a rough 2026/27 season on the ice, but their franchise value is moving in the opposite direction.
Sportico’s latest NHL valuations have the Flames at $2.24 billion, a sharp rise from where they stood a year ago. That puts Calgary 14th among NHL franchises, up from 19th ahead of last season.
The @MapleLeafs are the NHL’s most valuable team for the sixth straight year with a $4.8 billion valuation, followed by the @NYRangers ($4.15 billion), @CanadiensMTL ($3.8 billion), @LAKings ($3.33 billion) and @NHLBruins ($3.31 billion).
Full story: https://t.co/OwlgpOQOqU pic.twitter.com/TJvWrCDcwd
- Sportico (@Sportico) September 29, 2026
Calgary still trails several other Canadian teams in the ranking, including Toronto at No. 1, Montreal at No. 3 and Edmonton at No. 8 with a $3.11 billion valuation. Even so, for a market of Calgary’s size and with the team’s limited recent success, the number stands out as a strong one.
A big part of that jump is tied to ScotiaPlace, the club’s new arena set to open before the 2027/28 season. The building is expected to lift the Flames’ valuation further, and if the team can land major names along the way, the number could climb again.
The arena’s impact won’t stop with the hockey team, either. ScotiaPlace is also expected to reshape the surrounding area and give Calgary a venue fit for major acts, adding value beyond the rink.
For the Flames and the other hockey teams in the city, though, the biggest boost comes from the new home itself. With Calgary already up to 14th in NHL franchise value, another rise could be waiting once ScotiaPlace opens and the 2027/28 season arrives.
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Flames Rebuild Just Opened A Salary Cap Opportunity Fans Should Watch
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That flexibility is the part worth watching as the season unfolds. The Flames have plenty of room to maneuver if the right trade or signing comes along, and Conroy has already shown he is willing to use that space to lock up younger pieces for the long term. For a team trying to build patiently, cap room is more than just a number right now, it is one of the few advantages Calgary can carry into the next phase. [Read more 🡒]
