About HALO
Hockey analytics, on its own stage
HALO is a conference made only for hockey analytics. Staff from all 32 NHL teams gather to showcase hockey analytics as an important discipline within the sport, how it integrates with club operations, and how it enhances the fan experience.
The centerpiece is the HALO Hackathon. Students and working analysts will gain access to a high level dataset that is rarely made available for public analysis, and the best entries are presented live on stage in front of the people who make NHL decisions. The hackathon is surrounded by panels and presentations including club executives and data providers, a live podcast, and a marketplace where clubs meet the companies supplying the data.
Program · Tuesday, March 16
A day on the program
Speakers and session titles will be announced in early 2027. Time and session names below are an example of what attendees can expect.
HALO Hackathon 2027
Your work, in front of 32 NHL clubs
Get full player and puck tracking data, the kind almost never available to the public. Find something new in it. The best entries are presented live at HALO, and the winners take home cash prizes.
- December 2026Data released, entries openExact date Coming soon
- February 2027Submission deadlineExact date Coming soon
- Late FebruaryFinalists announcedFinalists are contacted directly
- March 16, 2027Finalists present at HALOWinners announced on stage
Who can enter
Anyone: students, working analysts, researchers and fans. Enter on your own or as a team of two or three.
Separate student and professional tracks may be added. Details to come.
Getting the data
The data will be hosted on Kaggle, a free website for data science competitions. Create a free Kaggle account, accept the competition rules, and download the data.
No separate HALO sign-up is needed. Link Coming soon
What to submit
- A written paper explaining your question, methods, findings and results
- A link to a GitHub repository (a public home for your code) so others can reproduce your work
How entries are judged
Entries are judged by a committee of NHL front office analytics staff, academic faculty, and other industry professionals.
Actionable insight
Could a coach, general manager or analyst use this to make a real decision? The best entries answer a question clubs actually face.
Creativity and originality
Does it measure something new, or look at a familiar problem in a new way? Rebuilding an existing public metric scores lower.
Effective use of the data
Does it make real use of full player and puck tracking? Would the idea work without it?
Clarity, rigor and storytelling
Can a non-technical hockey person follow the main finding? Are claims supported and limits stated honestly?
Technical execution
Are the methods sound and the code reproducible from the GitHub repository? Could a club realistically put it to work?
Prizes
- Cash prizes for the winners. Amounts Coming soon
- Finalists present live at HALO on March 16
- Up to $500 USD in travel reimbursement for each finalist entry
Tickets
Join us in Philadelphia
HALO is open to everyone with an interest in hockey analytics. Attend just the conference or add a ticket to the Flyers vs. Red Wings game that evening, in the same building. Select one of the options below.
Most popular
Conference + Game
$125 per person
- Full-day access to HALO on March 16
- Breakfast and lunch
- Ticket to Flyers vs. Detroit Red Wings, 7:00 pm
Conference
Conference Only
$95 per person
- Full-day access to HALO on March 16
- Breakfast and lunch
NHL club staff: your ticket link will be sent to you directly by email. Ticket questions: help
Financial assistance
Cost shouldn't keep you out
We offer a limited number of free tickets to students and early-career analysts who couldn't otherwise attend. Each award covers one Conference + Game ticket. Travel and hotel are not covered.
Who can apply
- Current students at any level
- Early-career analysts with up to 3 years of full-time work experience who are not employed by an NHL club
The application asks for
- Your name, email, school or employer
- A short statement (150–300 words) on why you want to attend and why cost is a barrier.
- Students: proof of enrollment, such as a student ID or a letter from your school
Questions about financial assistance? Email help
Venue & travel
Getting there
Xfinity Mobile Arena
Home of the Philadelphia Flyers
3601 S Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19148
The conference and the evening game are in the same building.
Preferred hotels
Discounted HALO booking codes Coming soon
- Xfinity Mobile ArenaHALO venue · 3601 S Broad StDirections
- Live! Casino & Hotel PhiladelphiaPreferred hotel · 900 Packer AveDirections
- Courtyard Philadelphia South at The Navy YardPreferred hotel · 1001 Intrepid AveDirections
- Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)About 15 minutes from the arena by carDirections
Sponsors & data providers
The companies behind the data
Hear directly from the top data providers on how they are helping to shape the hockey analytics ecosystem.
Become a partner
HALO puts your company in one room with analytics decision-makers from all 32 NHL clubs, plus 200+ attendees from across the hockey analytics community. Choose the package that fits your goals.
1 available
Platinum Hackathon Partner
Supply the competition data and get months of free research built on it, plus your name on HALO's main showcase.
- “HALO Hackathon powered by” naming
- Up to 30-minute presentation to teams and the public
- Seat on the judging committee
- Presentation to NHL club analytics staff
- Private meeting room and marketplace table
- 6 complimentary conference + game tickets
- Semi-private area with NHL club staff at the game
1 available
Platinum Reception Partner
Host the opening night reception and happy hour for NHL club staff.
- Exclusive host of the opening reception for team staff
- Up to 30-minute presentation to teams and the public
- Presentation to NHL club analytics staff
- Private meeting room and marketplace table
- Top-tier logo on website and signage
- 4 complimentary conference + game tickets
- Semi-private area with NHL club staff at the game
4 available
Gold
Stage time, club access and strong visibility across HALO.
- Up to 20-minute presentation to teams and the public
- 20-minute presentation to NHL club analytics staff
- Private meeting room and marketplace table
- Large logo on website and signage
- 4 complimentary conference + game tickets
- Semi-private area with NHL club staff at the game
Marketplace presence
Silver
A table on the marketplace floor to meet clubs and attendees.
- Marketplace table
- Logo on website and signage
- 4 complimentary conference + game tickets
For full package details and pricing, email sponsorship
Past years
HALO through the years
FAQ
Questions
Can fans attend?
Yes. HALO is open to anyone with an interest in hockey analytics. Buy a Conference Only or Conference + Game ticket.
Do I have to be a student to enter the hackathon?
No. The hackathon is open to anyone. We may add separate student and professional tracks, and will announce that before entries open.
Do I need to register for the hackathon?
Not with HALO. You need a free Kaggle account and must accept the competition rules there to download the data.
Can I use the data after the competition?
No. The tracking data may only be used for this competition. You keep the rights to your own work.
Do finalists need to attend in person?
Yes. Finalists present live at HALO on March 16. Each finalist entry receives up to $500 USD in travel reimbursement.
Is financial help available?
Yes. Students and early-career analysts can apply for a free Conference + Game ticket. Applications close February 1, 2027.
I work for an NHL club. How do I get a ticket?
Club staff receive a separate ticket link by email.
Are tickets refundable or transferable?
Unfortnately both the conference and game tickets are non-refundable or transferable.
I'm with the media. How do I get credentials?
Email press
Didn't find your answer? Email help
Contact