How a desert hockey team built a record-breaking franchise from scratch in California

Science · Published 20 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: The Coachella Valley Firebirds emerged as a powerhouse in the American Hockey League, despite initial construction delays and a pandemic-induced site change. Owned by the Oak View Group, this expansion franchise quickly became a local sensation, setting attendance records and reaching the Calder Cup Finals in consecutive debut seasons.

The Firebirds were established as the AHL affiliate for the Seattle Kraken, following the NHL team's 2018 expansion approval. Initially, the ownership group considered promoting the Idaho Steelheads, but ultimately opted for a new franchise in the Coachella Valley. This decision triggered a complex infrastructure journey. An original plan to build a 10,000-seat arena in partnership with the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians collapsed due to the economic pressures of the COVID-19 pandemic. By September 2020, a new site was secured in Thousand Palms, California, on land leased from the H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation.

Construction of the resulting Acrisure Arena cost an estimated $290 million and concluded in late 2022. The team's debut was delayed from the 2021–22 season to 2022–23, forcing the organization to share an affiliate with the Florida Panthers in the interim. Once play began, the Firebirds found immediate success. In their inaugural season, they finished second in the Pacific Division and reached the Calder Cup Finals, where they narrowly lost to the Hershey Bears in a seven-game series. This momentum continued, with the team establishing an AHL record for total playoff attendance during that first postseason run.

The organization’s identity is deeply rooted in its desert home and its NHL parent club. The name Firebirds, like the Kraken, draws from mythology, while the team's third jersey features a palm tree with nine fronds, representing each city in the Coachella Valley. Under the leadership of figures like CEO Tim Leiweke and inaugural president Steve Fraser, the franchise has prioritized local engagement, from broadcasting games on local television to hosting the 2025 AHL All-Star Game. Despite coaching transitions, including Dan Bylsma’s departure for the Seattle Kraken in 2024, the Firebirds remain a dominant force in the Pacific Division.

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