Question 1

Do I need to have a sport management or marketing degree to apply?

Accepted Answer

Not at all! You do not need to have a degree in Sport Management or Marketing to apply. We warmly welcome undergraduate and graduate students of any major, as long as they attend an invited school in the California Bay Area.

Question 2

How do I enter?

Accepted Answer

Join our Innovation Competition and turn your groundbreaking ideas into reality! This is your chance to showcase your creativity, collaborate with like-minded visionaries, and make a tangible impact that could reinvent the way fans experience the game.

Question 3

What are the innovation pillars?

Accepted Answer

The Innovation Competition challenges students to develop a practical and innovative solution that focuses on one or more of the 3 pillars of innovation:

Question 4

What format should my submission be in?

Accepted Answer

Written proposal (max 5 pages) or presentation (max 10 slides)

Question 5

Will there be a panel of judges?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Submissions will be evaluated by a panel of judges from the NHL, NHLPA, SAP, Sharks Foundation and industry leaders, who will be looking for the most innovative, impactful and sustainable strategies to grow and deepen the NHL brand.

Question 6

Can I enter if I have been or am employed by the NHL or NHLPA?

Accepted Answer

No, unfortunately you are not eligible for this competition. Please see full contest rules and regulations.

Question 7

Can I enter on my own without a partner?

Accepted Answer

Each team must consist of a minimum of one (1) and a maximum of four (4) students. All students on a team must be enrolled at the same participating university or college. A student may not be on more than one (1) team.

Question 8

Can I enter more than one idea?

Accepted Answer

Each team may submit only one (1) entry. Multiple entries from the same team or individual participants will result in disqualification. No person may register/enter more than once by using different email addresses and no email addresses can be used to submit more than one (1) entry.

Question 9

Is there a fee for students to participate in the competition?

Accepted Answer

No purchase required.

Question 10

When do we need to submit by?

Accepted Answer

Submissions open March 30th, 2026 and close April 26th, 2026 at 11:59 EST.

Question 11

What happens if I am selected as a semi-finalist?

Accepted Answer

Semi-final interviews will be held May 1st or May 4th, 2026. Top 10 semi-finalists will have the opportunity for a virtual (5min) pitch to the panel of judges.

Question 12

When do I find out if I am a finalist?

Accepted Answer

Finalists will be selected by May 8th, 2026. The top 6 teams will be notified that they have been selected to present their ideas live at SAP Center on June 1st, 2026. In advance of the final pitch event, finalists will receive mentorship and pitch coaching from May 11th-29th to prepare them for pitch day.

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