Arda Öcal was born on May 7, 1981, in North York, Toronto, Ontario, to Turkish parents. He developed a passion for hockey from an early age, playing throughout his childhood and high school years. He studied mathematics and business at the University of Waterloo and, during his time there, hosted a variety show on campus radio station CKMS.

Öcal began his broadcasting career around 2000 and spent over a decade building a diverse media portfolio across Canada. He reported for The Weather Network and hosted Aftermath TV — a weekly WWE-focused show on Sportsnet 360. He also worked with WWE as a broadcaster and backstage interviewer and hosted The MSG Hockey Show on MSG Networks. 

Arda Öcal joined ESPN in 2016, initially covering esports and MMA before expanding to the full breadth of the network’s sports coverage. In 2021, he stepped into his core role as an NHL studio host, anchoring In the Crease — ESPN+’s pre- and post-game NHL show — and The Point, the network’s flagship weekly hockey studio show. He also regularly anchors SportsCenter and has contributed to ABC’s hockey coverage.  In addition to TV hosting, he is also an adjunct professor at Iona University.