The Delta Center in Salt Lake City is set to host its first Stanley Cup Playoff games as the Utah Mammoth face the Vegas Golden Knights. This marks a significant milestone for the arena and the team.
Key points
Delta Center to host Stanley Cup Playoff games
Utah Mammoth vs. Vegas Golden Knights
First playoff games for the Delta Center
Significant growth of the arena in two years
Part of the identity of the Utah Mammoth
Mentioned in this story
Delta Center
Utah MammothVegas Golden KnightsStanley Cup Playoffs
Players are introduced before an NHL game between the Utah Mammoth and the St. Louis Blues at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
Players are introduced before an NHL game between the Utah Mammoth and the St. LouisBlues at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, April 16, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
A sports arena is more than a building. Itâs part of the identity of the teams it facilitates.
Just like the NHL team it hosts, the Delta Center in Salt Lake City has seen tremendous growth over the last two years. Now, as the Utah Mammoth return home for Games 3 and 4 of their best-of-seven-series with the Vegas Golden Knights, the building prepares for its maiden voyage into the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Here are some of its biggest moments since the NHL arrived in Utah.
April 24, 2024: âWelcome to Utahâ event
Aside from the handful of preseason games that had been played at the Delta Center in the years leading up to the teamâs arrival, the welcome event was the first glimpse at the local crowdâs interest in hockey.
It did not disappoint.
Fans filled the building to capacity, and those who couldnât get in tuned into the broadcast from the plaza outside.
âThey told us that Utah was too small for an NHL team,â said Gov. Spencer Cox at the time. âThey told us that we didnât know hockey in Utah, and today we prove them all wrong.â
That was also the day that Liam OâBrien introduced himself as âSpicy Tuna,â becoming an instant fan favorite. He has since leveraged that brand into his own clothing line,
Q&A
When will the Utah Mammoth play their Stanley Cup Playoff games at the Delta Center?
The Utah Mammoth will play Games 3 and 4 of their Stanley Cup Playoff series at the Delta Center on April 16, 2026.
What teams are competing in the Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Delta Center?
The Utah Mammoth are competing against the Vegas Golden Knights in the Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Delta Center.
What is the significance of the Delta Center hosting Stanley Cup Playoff games?
Hosting Stanley Cup Playoff games marks the Delta Center's first participation in the playoffs, highlighting its growth and importance to the Utah Mammoth's identity.
How has the Delta Center changed since the NHL arrived in Utah?
The Delta Center has experienced tremendous growth over the last two years, becoming a key venue for the Utah Mammoth and enhancing its role in the local sports culture.
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Utah hockey forward Liam O'Brien enthusiastically yells into the mic as he introduces himself as thousands attend the NHL event at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, as Utahâs NHL hockey team is introduced to fans on Wednesday, April 24, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Oct. 8, 2024: Inaugural game of the Utah Hockey Club
Outside the arena, throngs gathered for mini games, food trucks, a concert with one of the biggest artists of that summer and a fighter jet flyover.
But the biggest party was inside the building. Dylan Guenther cracked open the scoring five minutes into the game, starting the team down the path to a 5-2 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks.
Having attended every home game in the franchiseâs existence, I can confidently say that Oct. 8 was the second-loudest game at the Delta Center. First place goes to the Hockey Clubâs first home preseason game on Sept. 23 against the Los Angeles Kings.
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Fans celebrate after the Utah Hockey Club defeated the Chicago Blackhawks after a game held at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024. | Isaac Hale
Summer 2025: First round of renovations
Itâs well-documented that the Delta Center was not originally built with hockey in mind, which has made complex renovations necessary.
The first stage of a three-summer plan focused on the lower bowl. They designed a bleacher system to fit the steepness of the lower bowl and adjusted the height and length of the floor to accommodate it.
Every seat in the lower bowl now has full views, and the sections behind the nets have some of the steepest inclines in the NHL.
Upon completion of the project, the goal is to have full views from every seat. Exact plans for summer 2026 have yet to be revealed, but a seating chart sent out to season ticket holders in January provides a general idea of what it will look like.
Oct. 15, 2025: First home game under âMammothâ name
A rebrand was always part of Smith Entertainment Groupâs plan. With the emergent nature of the situation that landed the team in Utah, there just wasnât enough time to give it a proper name, logo and everything else that comes with the identity of a team.
Fans had their opinions on which direction it should go, but once âMammothâ was official, everyone latched on. And between the âTusks Upâ slogan, the Zammoth, tusk-shaped beer cups and all the other branding initiatives, it seems to be a great choice.
The âRock Blackâ Mammoth jerseys produced a win in their first-ever outing, topping the Calgary Flames 3-1.
Coincidentally, MacKenzie Weegar suited up for the Flames in that game. Heâd later go on to score the Mammothâs third-ever playoff goal, which he put in off the skate of now-Golden Knight Rasmus Andersson â the lone Flame to score in the Mammothâs home opener.
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Utah Mammoth right wing Clayton Keller (9) sticks his stick out at Calgary Flames defenseman MacKenzie Weegar (52) as the Utah Mammoth and Calgary Flames play at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
April 24, 2026: First playoff game at the Delta Center
Everything thus far has led to Friday night: the first Stanley Cup Playoff game at the Delta Center.
The Mammoth took a split in Las Vegas, meaning the series is tied 1-1 as the teams head to Salt Lake City. And to this point, neither team has emerged as a clear favorite.
In other words, itâs anyoneâs series for the taking.
âIf itâs anything like the last month or so, itâs going to be super exciting,â Weegar said in anticipation of the game.
âIâm sure theyâve got another level that they want to go to. ... Iâm sure theyâre all anxious to get in that building and provide a lot of momentum for our group. So, weâre going to be ready to go and Iâm sure weâll come out of the gates flying for them.â
To this point in their existence, the Mammoth have sold out every game theyâve ever played. They do have the most expensive playoff tickets in the Western Conference, but it would be shocking if the building wasnât packed for its playoff debut.
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Fans celebrate after a goal by Utah Mammoth left wing Michael Carcone (53) during game against the St. Louis Blues at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, April 16, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
