Four locations the NHL should consider for an outdoor game
The National Hockey League has marketed their outdoor games well since the first Winter Classic in 2008 featuring the Pittsburgh Penguins & the Buffalo Sabres. It may be time to look at unique venues.
The 2024-2025 National Hockey League season marks the 16th season the league has consistently marketed and presented an NHL Winter Classic or an outdoor game in general. During the previous sixteen seasons, forty-one games have been played outdoors for spectators to marvel at.
This season, the NHL will return to Wrigley Field where the Chicago Blackhawks will host the St. Louis Blues on New Year's Eve. The second outdoor game during the 2024-2025 season is scheduled to take place March 1st, 2025 at Ohio Stadium when the Columbus Blue Jackets host the Detroit Red Wings. This brings us to today and the idea of where the National Hockey League should branch out and host an NHL game.
Miami Florida - LoanDepot Park
LoanDepot Park Is home to Major League Baseball's Miami Marlins. With the Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Panthers both making the Stanley Cup final and winning the Cup itself, it seems like a no-brainer that they would sell out the stadium to rabid, casual or new fans looking for a unique experience. The roof itself is retractable so an outdoor game can be marketed and in theory, happen. The facility itself is also air conditioned which would lend a hand to the ice crew making sure the playing surface is up to par for the game to be played.
Salt Lake City - Rice-Eccles Stadium
The outdoor venue for the closing ceremonies of the 2002 Olympics could be the perfect spot in the state of Utah, especially with the new Utah Hockey Club making its way from Arizona earlier this year. The Stadium itself sits on the campus of the University of Utah and was revitalized to accommodate 50,000 people. The views alone of the mountains in the distance would make it a prime setting for an outdoor game. However, think of this opportunity as more of a marketing tool to introduce the franchise to fans across the state.
Los Angeles - Sofi Stadium
A decade ago the Anaheim Ducks & Los Angeles Kings held a game at Dodger Stadium which may be remembered more for KISS and their pyro-drenched musical performance. Admittedly the rivalry isn't where it should be for a game to be marketed but it would be a spectacle at the 70,000-seat state-of-the-art SoFI stadium where the FIFA World Cup 2026 is set to hold games and a leadup to the 2028 Summer Olympics. The roof is retractable so the fans would be able to experience the outdoor feel.
Stockholm - Strawberry Arena
The NFL has had the fortune and the ability to promote its brand in some of Europe's top soccer stadiums. With the the NHL Global Series being a regular part of the leagues' calendar there has been no mention of an outdoor game anywhere across the continent to date. Although happening in Italy, the NHL may want to piggyback their return to the Olympics by hosting an outdoor game near the Alps, however, it makes sense for them to have it in a traditional hockey market. The roof at Strawberry Arena can also be moved back and forth to accommodate an outdoor game atmosphere.
Source - The Hockey News
Future NHL Outdoor Games We'd Love to See
| POLL | ||
Where should the NHL look to hold an outdoor game? | ||
| Miami - LoanDepot Park | 9 | 9.8 % |
| Salt Lake City - Rice-Eccles Stadium | 44 | 47.8 % |
| Los Angeles - Sofi Stadium | 5 | 5.4 % |
| Stockholm - Strawberry Arena | 34 | 37 % |
| List of polls | ||
